written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
07 Feb 2024
Journalist, Editorial Department
The European Casino Association (ECA) has undergone a reshuffle in its board of directors. During a recent General Assembly, new leaders were confirmed for key positions within the organization.
Among the newly appointed members are Petra de Ruiter, CEO of Holland Casino; Albert Manzone, Deputy CEO of SBM; and Simon Thomas from Hippodrome Casino. Erwin van Lambaart will continue to serve as the ECA Chair, while Tiina Siltanen has taken on the role of Senior Vice President, and Laurent Lassias will become the new Vice President.
The ECA is responsible for regulating national associations and individual operators managing licensed gaming establishments across Europe. The organization comprises approximately 900 land-based casinos and employs over 70,000 staff across 298 countries.
The primary mission of the European Casino Association is to address and promote issues that are crucial to the operation of gaming establishments. It also serves as a coordinating hub for both operators and policymakers.
Siltanen was appointed Deputy Chair of the ECA in December 2022, bringing decades of experience to the organization's leadership. With over 20 years in the gaming industry, she has been involved in various aspects of casino operations and played a pivotal role in the development of poker at Casino Cosmopol in Sweden. Currently, she oversees the operations of Veikkaus casinos in Finland.
Prior to the announcement of the board's composition, the ECA congratulated Chair Erwin van Lambaart on receiving the "Leader of the Year" award. The accolade was presented at the annual Global Gaming Awards 2024 ceremony, where he was recognized for his achievements as head of Casino Austria and the Austrian lotteries.
Meanwhile, the first events of ICE 2024 and ICE VOX are taking place in London.
