Dutch gambling minister resigns over blocked Israel sanctions
Summary
Teun Struycken, Netherlands state secretary for legal protection with responsibility for gambling, has resigned after cabinet colleagues blocked proposals to impose further sanctions on Israel. The walkouts began with Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp and were followed by ministers and state secretaries from Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC). Veldkamp said he lacked confidence that the cabinet would allow the measures he deemed necessary in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza City and the approval of new West Bank settlements.
Struycken had been involved in drafting a new gambling bill expected by the end of 2025 that could include measures such as raising the minimum age for higher‑risk products. His resignation puts that bill’s timing and content in doubt against a backdrop of political instability: the government collapsed in June and a snap election is scheduled for 29 October 2025.
Author style
Punchy: This matters for the sector — ministerial exits here affect the regulatory pipeline. If you care about Dutch rules, read the detail: it changes the timing and potentially the shape of incoming legislation.
Key Points
- Teun Struycken resigned after cabinet resistance to sanctions on Israel; his resignation followed that of Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp and other NSC members.
- Veldkamp said his proposals for further measures in response to events in Gaza City and West Bank settlement approvals were being blocked within cabinet.
- Struycken had been involved in a proposed gambling bill due by the end of 2025, which could have included tougher measures such as raising the age limit for higher‑risk products.
- With Struycken stepping down, the status, timing and content of the new gambling bill are now uncertain.
- Political uncertainty persists after the government collapse in June; a snap election on 29 October 2025 could reshape regulatory direction.
- Industry commentators note post‑election politicians might either relax or recalibrate restrictions to improve market competitiveness.
Why should I read this?
Short and blunt: if you operate in or sell into the Dutch market, this could mess with your roadmap. Struycken’s exit leaves planned regulatory changes hanging and the upcoming election can swing outcomes either way. We’ve read it so you don’t have to — watch the post‑election shuffle closely.
Source
Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/people/people-moves/dutch-gambling-minister-resigns/