EGBA Leadership Transition: Maarten Haijer to Step Down as Secretary General

A significant era in European gambling regulation is coming to an end. Maarten Haijer, who has been the face of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) for over a decade, will resign from his position as Secretary General on September 1. Haijer looks back on a 13-year tenure during which he transformed the Brussels-based association from a small advocacy group into a major player at the EU level. His departure comes at a time when the industry faces major challenges from the black market and evolving national laws.

EGBA praised Haijer’s extraordinary contribution to the industry, particularly his efforts to improve industry standards and control mechanisms. He campaigned tirelessly for regulated competition in Europe and strengthened dialogue with EU institutions and national authorities. His era includes decisive initiatives that are now considered cornerstones for the safe operation of online casinos. His commitment to protecting players from the risks of gambling is particularly highlighted.

Numbers and facts

Haijer has led EGBA for 13 years. Under his leadership, the first Europe-wide code of conduct for responsible advertising in online gambling was launched in 2020. This code established standards for advertising content, social media, sponsorships, and the protection of minors. Another milestone was the development of the first common European standard for identifying markers of gambling harm. This initiative was approved by national standardization bodies in 2025 and progressed through the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).

His successor, Pierre Tournier, has been with EGBA since 2025 and brings more than 15 years of industry experience. He will initially take over the position on an interim basis. Tournier emphasized during the announcement that combating the illegal market will be central to his work. Haijer leaves behind an association that not only represents the interests of operators but also actively participates in shaping consumer protection standards.

"It has been a privilege to lead EGBA and to work alongside our members, colleagues, partners, regulators and policymakers towards the common objective of a safe and sustainable online gambling sector in Europe." - Maarten Haijer, outgoing Secretary General of EGBA

Background

EGBA’s work under Haijer was often marked by conflicts with national go-it-alone approaches. For example, the association regularly called for stronger cooperation between licensed operators and law enforcement agencies to push back illegal providers. A prominent example was the opposition to the total advertising ban in Italy, introduced in 2018 through the so-called Dignity Decree, which EGBA criticized as disproportionate. Haijer also promoted European Safer Gambling Week, an annual initiative that brings together actors from across the industry to prevent gambling addiction.

Pierre Tournier takes over leadership at a stage where the regulatory landscape in Europe is evolving rapidly. He warned that the growing black market represents the biggest threat to both players and the regulated sector. Tournier aims to build on the foundation Haijer laid and strengthen EGBA’s position as a leading voice for standards in anti-money laundering and data integrity.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, EGBA’s work is highly relevant as the association often provides the scientific basis for regulations that later find their way into national law, such as the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling. The markers of gambling harm promoted by Haijer could play a larger role in the algorithms of German providers in the future. Currently, German players must live with strict rules, such as the one-euro-per-spin limit for virtual slot machines and the monthly cross-provider deposit limit of 1,000 euros, monitored via the LUGAS system.

A strong European association like EGBA advocates for such rules to remain proportionate and not jeopardize the channeling effect. If regulation becomes too restrictive, players migrate to the black market. EGBA repeatedly warns that player protection only works in an attractive, regulated environment. German customers benefit in the long term from the technical standards initiated by Haijer in Brussels, as these offer higher security in data processing and protection against gambling addiction.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

The Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) maintains a so-called whitelist, on which all legal providers in Germany are listed. For these companies, the change at the top of EGBA is a signal of continuity in high safety standards. German operators must adhere to strict requirements for gambling addiction prevention. The markers of harm developed by EGBA provide a scientific basis to identify problematic behavior early before a ban in OASIS becomes necessary.

"Maarten leaves behind a remarkable legacy, and his name will always be synonymous with EGBA. These are big shoes to fill, and I am deeply honoured by the confidence both he and our members have shown in me." - Pierre Tournier, interim Secretary General of EGBA

Under the new leadership, EGBA will likely push even harder for payment service providers to be held more accountable to stop transactions to illegal casinos. An example of this is recent criticism of fintech companies in Lithuania that facilitated deposits to black market sites. For licensed German casinos, a strong EGBA means an ally in the fight against unfair competition from unregulated overseas providers.