KSA updates governance model and strengthens player protection

The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has entered 2026 with a refreshed governance model and an updated Board of Directors aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of its supervision and enforcement activities. The restructured board and organisational framework are designed to address the growing complexity of the gambling market in the Netherlands, with particular focus on player protection, technological innovation and data-driven oversight.

The regulator’s announcement represents a strategic step toward creating a modern, agile authority capable of navigating the challenges posed by an increasingly digital and globalised gambling landscape.

New board structure and executive roles

Under the revised governance model, the KSA now has a single full-time chairperson supported by two part-time board members. The organisation’s departments have been consolidated into three directorates to streamline management and improve operational coordination.

Chairman Michel Groothuizen continues in his role as the full-time chair. According to the regulator, the recruitment process for the two part-time board members is at an advanced stage, reflecting KSA’s intent to bring strategic expertise in governance, digitalisation and integrity to the board.

Groothuizen’s role as chairperson will encompass daily contact with the directorates, serving as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders and representing the KSA both domestically and internationally. The two part-time directors are expected to contribute strategic guidance and act as “sparring partners,” bringing specialised knowledge that complements the chair’s executive responsibilities.

This structure is designed to balance operational management with strategic oversight, ensuring that statutory obligations, including supervision, licensing and enforcement, are met in a coherent and forward-looking manner.

Organisational directorates and operational management

The three new directorates have been established to oversee the day-to-day management of KSA operations. Each directorate is tasked with delivering on core regulatory responsibilities while supporting broader strategic objectives:

Player Protection & Management Advice will focus on safeguarding gambling participants, ensuring operators comply with care obligations and advising on responsible gaming policies. Roos Lawant has been appointed to lead this directorate from February 1, 2026.

Permits & Supervision is responsible for the licensing of gambling operators and the supervision of compliance with the Netherlands’ gambling regulations. This directorate has been under the leadership of Ella Seijsener since January 1.

Digitalisation, Analysis & Business Operations will oversee the integration of technological solutions, data analysis and operational efficiency, reflecting the KSA’s ambition to leverage innovation in regulatory processes. Daniël Palomo van Es is set to assume leadership of this directorate from February 1.

Until Lawant and Palomo van Es take office, Groothuizen and Seijsener will temporarily manage their respective responsibilities. The department directors will coordinate operational activities, while the executive board focuses on strategic direction, the establishment of regulatory frameworks and the supervision of statutory duties and social objectives.

Strategic rationale behind the changes

The KSA emphasised that its statutory responsibilities have become increasingly broad and complex. Factors contributing to this complexity include rapid technological developments such as artificial intelligence, the proliferation of illegal gambling operators and the need for intensified international cooperation.

By consolidating departments into three focused directorates and updating the executive board structure, the KSA aims to ensure its capacity to respond effectively to emerging challenges. The new governance model is intended to create a more flexible organisation that can adjust rapidly to market developments, enforce regulations efficiently and maintain high standards of player protection.

The KSA has stressed that the revised structure is aligned with its updated strategy, which prioritises the use of data-driven oversight tools, enhanced digital monitoring and more proactive interventions to prevent harmful gambling practices.

Departure of former vice-chair Bernadette van Buchem

The organisational restructuring coincides with the departure of former vice-chair Bernadette van Buchem, who had served on the KSA board since 2018. Ms. van Buchem concluded her career after more than forty years in public service, including senior positions at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).

The KSA highlighted her “open leadership style, human approach and strong commitment to the organisation,” recognising her long-standing contribution to regulatory development and governance. Until the appointment of the two new part-time board members, Groothuizen will temporarily serve as the sole director, ensuring continuity in strategic oversight and decision-making.

Enforcement actions and regulatory oversight

In a demonstration of its strengthened enforcement capabilities, the KSA announced a €500,000 fine against Sweden-based gambling operator LeoVegas in late December 2025. The penalty was issued for failing to adequately protect players, with violations spanning from October 2023 to May 2024.

According to the regulator, several player files provided by LeoVegas showed breaches of duty of care. In one instance, a player deposited and lost tens of thousands of euros within a short period, yet timely intervention by the operator was lacking. In another case, a player exhibiting severe signs of excessive gambling initially only received a pop-up notification warning of potential harm, which could be easily dismissed. The KSA concluded that such measures were insufficient to meet the operator’s regulatory obligations.

This action underlines the KSA’s focus on enforcing responsible gambling measures and ensuring operators implement effective safeguards to protect vulnerable players. The fine also reflects the regulator’s commitment to transparency and accountability, signaling that non-compliance with care duties will be met with significant consequences.

Emphasis on digitalisation and data-driven oversight

One of the most notable features of the new governance structure is the enhanced focus on digitalisation. The KSA intends to use advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and automated monitoring systems to improve its regulatory effectiveness.

The Digitalisation, Analysis & Business Operations directorate, led by Daniël Palomo van Es, will play a central role in implementing these initiatives. The directorate is expected to streamline operational workflows, provide real-time insights on operator compliance and support data-driven interventions aimed at reducing gambling-related harm.

By integrating digital tools into its regulatory framework, the KSA aims to achieve faster response times, more precise risk assessment and greater transparency in its supervisory activities. The approach reflects global trends in regulatory technology, where digitalisation enables more efficient, evidence-based decision-making.

Strengthening international cooperation

The Dutch regulator also emphasised the importance of international cooperation in managing the complexities of the modern gambling market. Cross-border gambling, illegal online operators and shared digital infrastructure create challenges that extend beyond national jurisdiction.

The new board structure is intended to facilitate closer collaboration with other European regulators and international bodies, sharing data, best practices and enforcement strategies. By doing so, the KSA hopes to maintain a robust regulatory environment while mitigating the risks associated with unlicensed or fraudulent operators.

Future outlook

Looking ahead, the KSA’s restructured governance model positions the authority to pursue several strategic priorities. These include enhancing player protection measures, advancing the use of technology in regulation, strengthening compliance monitoring and fostering a culture of integrity and accountability across the gambling sector.

Chairman Michel Groothuizen has stated that the updated structure is intended to make the KSA more agile, allowing it to respond effectively to market developments while ensuring that operators meet their statutory obligations. The regulator’s commitment to transparency and public accountability is expected to guide its activities throughout 2026 and beyond.

The departure of Bernadette van Buchem and the introduction of two new part-time board members will further shape the KSA’s strategic direction, ensuring continuity while bringing in fresh perspectives in governance and digitalisation.

By consolidating directorates and clarifying executive responsibilities, the KSA aims to establish a sustainable model of oversight capable of addressing current and future regulatory challenges. The authority’s proactive stance on player protection, enforcement and digital transformation highlights its dedication to creating a safer and more responsible gambling environment in the Netherlands.

Conclusion

The Kansspelautoriteit’s organisational restructuring represents a decisive step toward a more agile, forward-looking and accountable regulatory authority. By consolidating its operations into three focused directorates and updating the executive board with a full-time chairperson and strategic part-time members, the KSA has positioned itself to address the increasing complexity of the Dutch gambling landscape. This includes responding to technological advancements, rising illegal gambling activity and the demands of a globalised market.

The changes underscore the regulator’s commitment to robust player protection, transparent enforcement and data-driven oversight. Actions such as the fine imposed on LeoVegas demonstrate that the KSA is willing and able to hold operators accountable, ensuring that statutory obligations are met and that gambling participants are safeguarded from harm.

Beyond domestic supervision, the new governance model enhances the KSA’s capacity to engage internationally, exchange intelligence and cooperate with other regulators to tackle cross-border challenges. Digitalisation and advanced analytics are set to play a pivotal role in modernising regulatory practices, providing real-time insights and facilitating proactive interventions.

With experienced leadership, a strengthened operational framework and a clear strategic focus, the KSA is poised to balance regulatory rigor with innovation. The authority’s approach reflects an understanding that effective regulation requires not only enforcement but also anticipation of emerging risks, fostering integrity across the sector and promoting responsible gambling practices.

In essence, the KSA’s transformation signals a modern regulator ready to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving gambling market while safeguarding the interests of players and upholding public trust in the Netherlands’ gaming industry.

Frequently asked questions

What is the new governance model of Kansspelautoriteit?
The KSA has introduced a board structure with a full-time chairperson and two part-time directors supported by three operational directorates.

Who is the current chairman of KSA?
Michel Groothuizen continues as the full-time chairperson and leads the executive board.

Why did Bernadette van Buchem leave the KSA board?
She concluded her career after over forty years in public service, including positions at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and ACM.

What are the three new directorates of KSA?
Player Protection & Management Advice, Permits & Supervision and Digitalisation, Analysis & Business Operations.

What is the role of the Digitalisation, Analysis & Business Operations directorate?
This directorate focuses on digital tools, data analysis and operational efficiency to enhance regulatory oversight.

Why was LeoVegas fined by the KSA?
The operator failed to adequately protect players and implement effective interventions during October 2023 to May 2024.

When will the new directorate leaders take office?
Roos Lawant and Daniël Palomo van Es will assume leadership roles from February 1, 2026.

How does the new governance model improve player protection?
It consolidates oversight functions, allows strategic board focus and introduces data-driven monitoring to enforce care duties.

What are KSA’s strategic priorities for 2026?
The regulator focuses on player protection, digitalisation, enforcement, governance and international cooperation.

How does KSA address illegal online gambling?
Through strengthened supervision, data analytics and collaboration with international regulators to identify and prevent unlicensed operators.