Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch gambling authority (KSA), has bolstered its executive team with the appointment of Wiebe Ruttenberg, a hire that will become effective from 1 March.
Ruttenberg will take responsibility for digital transformation at the Dutch regulator, a timely job given the challenges facing the Dutch gambling industry from unlicensed online operators.
The appointment was formally announced by the State Secretary for Justice and Security and the announcement confirms that he will serve a six-year term.
Ruttenberg has a wealth of experience in cybersecurity having worked with SecAlliance for nearly five years and as a CREST EU Council Member for just under three.
More recently, he has worked as a board adviser at fintech bank, Bunq, and been a guest lecturer in digital finance at the European University Institute.
KSA Chair Michel Groothuizen has welcomed the appointment, pointing to the regulator’s need to evolve in response to illegal gambling sites, cryptocurrency use and the rise of AI applications.
To tackle illegal providers, he stressed the importance of continuous evolution, saying: “The rise of illegal gambling sites, cryptocurrencies, and AI applications are just a few examples that require the KSA to continue evolving into a data-driven and risk-driven organisation, with an innovative toolkit that allows it to tackle illegal providers in new ways.”
He also noted the importance of building new types of relationships and collaborations within the financial sector, something where Ruttenberg’s career to date will be invaluable.
The black market has been a growing threat, with tax rises on regulated operators in the Netherlands decreasing the tax take from the licensed market
