GREF Leadership Shake-up: European Gambling Regulators Announce New Board Members

The landscape of European gambling regulation is undergoing a significant transition. The Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF) has officially announced key changes to its board of directors, signaling a renewed focus on cross-border cooperation and the sharing of regulatory best practices. As a non-profit organization, GREF serves as the primary meeting point for national gambling regulators to discuss supervision, operator control, and industry trends.

These leadership changes occur at a pivotal moment for the industry, as regulators across the continent face increasing pressure to modernize their oversight in the face of emerging digital technologies. The departure of long-serving members marks a shift toward integrating academic research with traditional policy-making, aiming for a more holistic approach to player protection.

Numbers and facts

A major highlight of the reshuffle is the appointment of Ian Angus as the new GREF treasurer. Angus, who serves as the director of policy at the British Gambling Commission, succeeds Tim Miller. Miller stepped down this month following his departure from his executive role at the UK regulator. Ian Angus has been a central figure in policy development since 2020, playing a vital role in the high-profile Gambling Act white paper and the implementation of financial risk assessment recommendations.

Furthermore, Olivia Petit has joined the board as the new secretary. Petit is an associate professor at KEDGE Business School, specializing in consumer behavior within digital environments. Her background in research on emerging technologies is expected to provide GREF with deeper insights into how modern gambling platforms influence player habits. Meanwhile, Jean-Michel Costes has exited the board following the conclusion of his tenure with France’s Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ).

"Ian Angus has played a central role in policy development since 2020. His work has included involvement in the Gambling Act white paper and the implementation of recommendations relating to financial risk assessments." - Official GREF Statement

Background

GREF is not merely a discussion group; it acts as a central point of contact for inquiries from authorities worldwide. The recent board changes reflect wider movements within national regulators. For instance, the British Gambling Commission recently appointed Ruth Evans as its new chair and is currently searching for a new CEO after Andrew Rhodes left the position in April. These shifts indicate a broader trend of administrative renewal across the most influential regulatory bodies in Europe.

Jean-Michel Costes' departure from the GREF board coincides with an era of intensified player protection efforts in France. Under his tenure at the ANJ, France saw a significant tightening of controls regarding gambling advertising. GREF aims to carry this momentum forward, ensuring that member states can learn from each other's successes and failures in curbing the black market.

Why it matters for German players

While GREF does not directly issue licenses, its influence on German regulation is substantial. The German Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) was developed in the spirit of European cooperation. Decisions made or discussed within GREF often find their way into the administrative practices of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). For German players, this means that the safety standards they enjoy—such as the 1,000 Euro monthly deposit limit and the LUGAS monitoring system—are part of a larger European effort to create a secure gambling environment.

Strong leadership at GREF ensures that German regulators have access to the latest data on international betting trends. If a particular type of illegal gambling software surfaces in France or the UK, the GGL is notified through GREF channels, allowing for faster intervention. This proactive approach directly protects German consumers from fraudulent offshore sites that do not adhere to the strict GGL whitelist requirements.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators holding a GGL license, the new leadership at GREF signals a commitment to a level playing field. With Ian Angus bringing his expertise in financial risk assessments to the forum, GGL-licensed casinos might see a further harmonization of affordability checks across Europe. This could lead to more standardized reporting requirements, which, while administratively demanding, help distinguish legitimate operators from unregulated ones.

The inclusion of academic experts like Olivia Petit suggests that future regulations will be increasingly data-driven. GGL-licensed casinos will likely be expected to provide even more transparency regarding player behavior data to satisfy these evolving supervisory standards. Ultimately, a more cohesive GREF strengthens the legal market's position against unlicensed competitors from MGA or Curacao jurisdictions, as international cooperation makes payment and IP blocking more effective.