Dutch gaming trade body appoints former MP Rosemarijn Dral as director

(AsiaGameHub) –   Dral served as the VVD’s spokesperson on gambling and other legal matters.

The Netherlands – The Dutch gaming trade association VNLOK has appointed former parliamentarian Rosemarijn Dral as its new director. Dral was a member of parliament for the centre-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) from July 2024 until November 2025.

Dral’s political background may prove beneficial to the association amid ongoing calls for reforms in online gaming. While in office, she acted as the party’s spokesperson on gambling and other legal issues. The VVD is part of the coalition government formed after the October 2025 elections, alongside Democratic 66 (D66) and the Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA).

Challenges facing the Dutch gambling industry include the revised tax framework, which increased the gross gambling revenue (GGR) tax rate from 30.5 per cent to 34.2 per cent in January 2025 and further to 37.8 per cent at the start of this year. This led operators such as LiveScore Bet and Tombola, a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment, to exit the market. The regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has observed a decline in tax revenues due to the increase.

Gambling companies are currently prohibited from sports sponsorships and from using public figures like footballers in promotional campaigns. A new proposal aims to impose a complete ban on gambling advertisements in the Netherlands, while the previous government had considered raising the minimum age for online casino gaming to 21.

Dral’s appointment follows VNLOK’s merger with the Netherlands Online Gaming Association (NOGA) last year to streamline industry representation.

Commenting on her new role, she said: “The regulation of online gambling involves significant societal themes such as consumer protection and law enforcement. I view it as my mission to collaborate with members, the government, and regulators to develop policies that genuinely support responsible and safe gaming in practice. VNLOK strives to be transparent in this area, maintain open dialogue, and contribute to political decision-making and implementation with factual insights.”

VNLOK Chairman Björn Fuchs remarked: “Rosemarijn Dral demonstrates a strong commitment to social responsibility, backed by extensive experience in political and administrative affairs. This enhances VNLOK’s position in a rapidly evolving market where cooperation is vital to effectively protect consumers and combat illegal supply. With Rosemarijn, we are advancing an important step toward the further professionalisation and heightened visibility of VNLOK.”