Dutch gambling minister resigns over blocked Israel sanctions
Summary
Teun Struycken, the Netherlands’ state secretary responsible for legal protection (including gambling), has resigned after several government members quit in protest at blocked sanctions against Israel. The departures began with Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who said his proposals for further measures over Israel’s actions in Gaza City and new West Bank settlements were being blocked within cabinet. Struycken was among ministers and state secretaries from the Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC) who followed Veldkamp out.
Struycken had been involved in planned gambling regulation changes — including a promised new gambling bill due by year-end and possible tougher rules for higher-risk products — but his resignation leaves that legislative timetable and the content of reforms uncertain. The Netherlands has already seen political turbulence this year after the government collapsed in June, triggering a snap election on 29 October. Industry voices suggest post-election politicians could either tighten or loosen rules to balance player protection with market viability.
Key Points
- Teun Struycken (state secretary for legal protection, covering gambling) resigned amid a ministers’ exodus over blocked Israel sanctions.
- The cascade began with Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who said his measures were resisted within cabinet.
- Struycken had been linked to a new Dutch gambling bill expected by the end of the year, potentially increasing age limits for high-risk products.
- His resignation creates uncertainty around the bill and future regulatory direction; NSC previously floated abolishing online gambling in its manifesto.
- Political instability (government collapse in June and a snap election on 29 October) means the market-facing outcome — tighter or looser rules — remains unclear.
Why should I read this?
Look — if you work in Dutch or European igaming, this is relevant. A minister who had a hand in forthcoming gambling laws has walked out, and that throws the whole reform timetable into limbo. It could change age limits, marketing rules or even the future of online gambling in the Netherlands. Short version: it’s a regulatory wobble you should know about.
Source
Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/people/people-moves/dutch-gambling-minister-resigns/