The Dutch online gambling industry is about to undergo a restructuring. The Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) has announced it will merge with the Association of Licensed Online Gambling Providers in the Netherlands (VNLOK), and all online operators licensed by the Dutch regulatory authority under NOGA will become members of VNLOK.
According to the agreement reached by both parties, the two associations will formulate specific merger arrangements in the coming weeks. This merger aims to integrate industry resources, unify regulatory voices, and further enhance the safety and sustainability of the Dutch online gambling market.
NOGA Vice Chair Sanna van Doorm stated, "We are comforted by this cooperation. It is the result of years of communication and coordination and marks a new phase in industry association cooperation. A more representative and cohesive joint association will better serve in establishing a responsible and transparent gambling market."
This merger is also seen as one of the strategic adjustments after NOGA's acting director, Eric Konings, steps down in early 2024. Previously, NOGA and VNLOK had announced that they would jointly open a hotline in the fourth quarter of 2024 to combat illegal online gambling.
VNLOK Chairman Björn Fuchs also welcomed this, saying, "We appreciate NOGA's cooperation and trust in promoting the merger. This is not just a merger, but a crucial step towards unifying the industry's voice and jointly addressing challenges. We look forward to NOGA members joining VNLOK soon and starting a new chapter."
The background of this merger is a recent research report released by the Dutch regulatory authority KSA, which points out that current gambling operators still have shortcomings in problem intervention. The industry believes that the merger of associations will help enhance industry self-regulation and external regulatory coordination.
