Maarten Haijer Steps Down After 13 Years as EGBA Secretary General; Pierre Tournier Named Interim Successor
TL;DR — The EGBA named Pierre Tournier interim Secretary General effective September 1 after Maarten Haijer’s 13-year tenure. Haijer, who joined in 2008, grew membership and launched the European Safer Gambling Week. Tournier, an advocate with BGC and RGA experience who joined EGBA in November 2025, will target illegal gambling and standards.
SCCG Take — The transition secures continuity for EGBA’s regulatory advocacy and illegal-market response as Europe’s framework shifts.
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has announced that Maarten Haijer is stepping down as Secretary General after 13 years in the role and nearly two decades with the trade body. Pierre Tournier, the EGBA’s current Senior Director, has been named interim Secretary General effective September 1.
Maarten Haijer’s Tenure and Achievements
Haijer joined the EGBA in 2008 as Director of Regulatory Affairs and became Secretary General in 2013. His prior experience includes service in the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and as internal market and consumer protection counsellor at the Netherlands permanent representation to the EU.
Under Haijer the EGBA expanded its membership, strengthened standards, and deepened engagement with EU and national institutions. The association helped open several markets to regulated competition and created the annual European Safer Gambling Week.
Haijer said: “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.” He added that the European sector has “changed almost beyond recognition during my time at EGBA – from pioneering start-ups to world-leading digital entertainment providers, with licences across the globe.”
Pierre Tournier’s Background and Priorities
Tournier brings over 15 years of advocacy experience. He previously held senior positions at the UK’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), and began his career as a consultant at Policy Action/Instinctif Partners, a Brussels-based firm. He holds an LLM in European Law from University College Dublin along with a BA and MA in Law from the University of Toulouse (Capitole).
Tournier joined the EGBA in November 2025 and has directed coordination with national and international trade bodies together with the association’s response to Europe’s growing illegal online gambling market.
Tournier said: “I would like to pay tribute to Maarten for his outstanding work. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy, and his name will always be synonymous with EGBA.” He stated that combating the illegal market “will be central to our work” while continuing to “drive high industry standards, promote regulatory best practices, and lead the debates that will shape our industry’s future.”
As reported by Focus Gaming News, Haijer leaves the EGBA in a strong position.
Reporting: Focus Gaming News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Brussels trade-body succession keeps regulatory continuity as illegal markets and EU frameworks demand fresh advocacy muscle across member states.
We work in every EGBA member market — this leadership change matters because Tournier's BGC and RGA background signals sharper focus on illegal competition and cross-border coordination, exactly where operators need actionable intel and aligned advocacy as enforcement and licensing evolve across the Continent.
- Haijer expanded membership, launched Safer Gambling Week, opened markets during 13-year tenure since 2013
- Tournier brings 15 years advocacy experience from BGC, RGA; joined EGBA November 2025
- Interim chief prioritizes illegal market response and standards as EU regulatory landscape shifts
SCCG angle: SCCG maintains direct relationships with EGBA members and national regulators across Europe — we connect clients to the right advocacy channels and decode how leadership shifts like this alter lobbying priorities, market-opening timelines, and enforcement coordination so you stay ahead of the policy curve.
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