Dutch betting trade body adds ex-MP to leadership

Dutch betting and gaming body VNLOK has appointed former parliamentarian Rosemarijn Dral as its new Director.

Dral’s political experience may prove valuable to VNLOK as the Dutch online gaming sector faces another wave of scrutiny from policymakers.

An MP between July 2024-November 2025, Dral is a member of the centre-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), and was a party spokesperson on the gambling industry among other legal topics.

Her background may be particularly useful for VNLOK given that the VVD is one of the three members of the Dutch coalition government created after the October 2025 elections, alongside the centrist Democratic 66 (D66) and centre-right Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA).

“The regulation of online gambling touches upon important societal themes such as consumer protection and enforcement,” Dral remarked.

“I see it as my mission to work with members, the government, and regulators on policies that truly contribute to responsible and safe gaming in practice. 

“VNLOK aims to be transparent in this regard, continue the dialogue, and contribute to political decision-making and implementation with facts.”

VNLOK appointment comes during pressurised time

Dral joins VNLOK amid a period of tension for the Dutch gambling industry, with a new tax framework agreed in 2024 raising the rate on gross gambling revenue (GGR) from 30.5% to 34.2% on 1 January 2025 and then again to 37.8% on 1 January 2026.

The tax raises have led to some firms, such as LiveScore Bet and Flutter Entertainment’s Tombola, to decide to withdraw from the Netherlands. 

On top of the increasingly heavy financial burden, the regulated industry also asserts that it is combating an extensive black market. Regulated betting revenues are also beginning to contract, according to the regulator, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).

Bookmakers are also facing scrutiny around advertising. Strict new standards were introduced back in 2024, such as bans on sports sponsorships and on ‘role models’ like footballers being included in marketing.

The Dutch opposition parties – ChristenUnie (CU) and the Socialist Party (SP) – are now calling for a full ban on advertising, alongside an increase in KSA enforcement penalties from 10% of operator annual revenue to 100%.

Making the industry’s case to the government around these issues, particularly the illegal market, will be a top priority for VNLOK – and by extension Dral – in 2026. 

Dral’s addition to VNLOK leadership comes after the organisation merged with its fellow trade body, the Netherlands Online Gaming Association (NOGA), in June last year.

Björn Fuchs, VNLOK Chairman, said: “Rosemarijn Dral has a keen eye for social responsibility, combined with extensive experience in the political and administrative domains. 

“With this, she strengthens VNLOK in a market that is rapidly evolving and in which cooperation is essential to properly protect consumers and effectively combat illegal supply. With Rosemarijn, we are taking an important step in the further professionalization and visibility of VNLOK.”