Dutch national lottery operator Nederlandse Loterij has appointed Raymond Knops as chairman of its Supervisory Board.

Knops succeeds Alexander Pechtold, who stepped down as chairman earlier this year to become Mayor of Delft.

Knops has extensive political experience and served as a Member of Parliament and Minister and State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations for eighteen year between 2005 and 2023. Since then, he has been a partner at the European consultancy firm Valcon, and also chairs the Dutch Industry for Defence and Security Foundation (NIDV). 

“I look forward to getting to know this wonderful and socially responsible company better in the new year and all the employees who work daily to provide great, safe, and responsible gambling for the whole of the Netherlands,” said Knops. “Together with my fellow Supervisory Board members, the Board, and employees, I am committed to further strengthening the position of the Dutch Lottery as a leading gambling provider and to growing our important contribution to sports and exercise.”

Steven Martina, Supervisory Board member and Chair of the Remuneration and Selection Committee of the Dutch Lottery, commented: “We are delighted with the appointment of Raymond Knops as the new chair of our Supervisory Board. His management experience and collaborative style perfectly match the ambitions of the Dutch Lottery. 

“On behalf of the Board, I would also like to thank Alexander Pechtold for his clear and committed leadership in recent years. Under his chairmanship, the Board has made significant progress in the areas of governance, strategy, and social accountability.”

Commenting on his departure as chairman, Pechtold said: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved in recent years, together with all the dedicated employees of the Dutch Lottery. We’ve built a strong, reliable, and responsible gambling organization, with a deep passion for sports and charities. 

“I’ve been delighted to contribute to that. I wish Raymond Knops every success as chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Dutch Lottery; it’s a great company with fantastic brands and a responsible range of gambling options.”