KSA Strengthens Advisory Board with New Expert Appointments
KSA Welcomes Two New Advisory Board Members
The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has reinforced its advisory board by appointing two distinguished professionals. Marjolein Hoogland and Ingmar Franken will each serve an initial three-year term, bringing valuable expertise to the board.
Profiles of the New Members
Marjolein Hoogland currently serves as the national chief lawyer-general at the Ressortsparket and formerly held the position of deputy chief officer at the Public Prosecution Office in The Hague.
Ingmar Franken is a clinical psychology professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Alongside his academic duties, he leads the Centrum voor Verslavings, a specialized center focused on addiction treatment.
Role and Importance of the Advisory Board
Both new members are expected to utilize their skills and experience to help KSA foster a fair and sustainable gambling environment. Since its establishment in 2014, the advisory board has offered valuable guidance and critical insights on regulatory matters, supporting KSA’s mission.
The board’s composition reflects diversity from sectors connected or analogous to the gambling industry. Besides Hoogland and Franken, existing members include Haiko van der Voort, Peter Kerkhof, and chair Anita Vegter.
Recent Challenges for the Dutch Gambling Sector
These appointments come in the wake of KSA’s report that the recent gambling tax increase to 34.2% did not lead to higher revenues. Instead, it coincided with a widespread reduction in gross gaming income across operators.
KSA chair Michel Groothuizen highlighted that the regulatory changes, including the elevated tax, have negatively impacted the gaming industry. Measures primarily driven by financial concerns often contradict KSA’s primary objective of enhancing player protection.
Higher operational costs for licensed companies tend to reduce their competitiveness, often pushing players towards the riskier unregulated market.
