The WGBA aims to bring regulated operators, industry associations, and other stakeholders together in a global alliance, with the goal of promoting high standards of consumer protection, integrity, and transparency. It also plans to act as a hub for data and research on safe and sustainable gambling, covering both the benefits of regulated markets and the risks from illegal operators, and to share this with policymakers, regulators, and the media.
The WGBA stated:
“In support of proportionate, evidence-based regulation, we provide credible global insights for our members, the wider industry, policymakers, regulators and the media. We aim to help stakeholders navigate complex debates with balanced, evidence-based information.”
The WGBA website lists bet365, Entain, Flutter Entertainment, and FDJ United as members, along with the EGBA itself; however, no operator has publicly confirmed it has joined yet.
Regarding Haijer, he left the EGBA just over a month ago. Before that, he worked at the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Netherlands’ Permanent Representation to the EU.
Haijer commented:
“At WGBA, we aim to unite the international gaming and betting community around the shared purpose of championing effective regulation, high industry standards, and evidence-led policy. I look forward to engaging with regulators, policymakers and public health stakeholders to help shape the conversation on the global scale.”
The formal launch of the new body will take place in Geneva in November 2026, together with the first flagship WGBA report.
