AML & Compliance workshop 2026

Speaker Bio: Dr Melissa van den Broek is a leading specialist in EU anti-money laundering supervision and the establishment of the new European AML architecture. She combines more than ten years of practical AML, CTF and sanctions compliance experience with academic depth: she previously worked at ING Bank and at the Dutch financial regulator (AFM), and holds a PhD in Law from Utrecht University with a focus on EU AML supervision. Until recently she was Senior Manager at KPMG Forensic in the Netherlands, where she led the AMLA Office Monitoring Unit.
On 1 September 2026, Melissa founded her own consultancy firm, Comply and Explain, specialising in AML and compliance. Through this new venture she now advises obliged entities across the financial and non-financial sectors on how to prepare for the AMLA supervisory regime and the operational implications of the EU Single AML Rulebook.

Presentation overview: European casino operators are entering a period of profound regulatory change. In this session, Dr van den Broek will guide AML and compliance professionals through the implications of the EU Single AML Rulebook and AMLA's upcoming supervisory powers. She will explore how AMLA is expected to select high-risk obliged entities for direct supervision and what this could mean for casino groups. With the 10,000 euro cash limit set to apply from July 2027, the session will offer practical strategies for operational readiness, and will examine enhanced customer due diligence obligations and how gaming operators can adopt a risk-based approach while maintaining a compliant customer experience.

Speaker Bio: Valentin Ramognino is an Associate Lawyer at Vlaemminck Law in Brussels, specialising in anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF) and compliance in the gambling sector. He advises private and public stakeholders on European regulatory developments affecting the gaming industry. Before joining Vlaemminck Law, he worked at the European Commission in a unit dealing with state aid, including gambling cases, and at the French Association for Lawyers in Brussels, where he focused on the application of the new AML framework. He is a regular speaker at the ECA AML and Compliance Workshop and at other industry forums.

Presentation overview: European casino operators face a rapidly evolving regulatory environment shaped by ongoing developments in Brussels. In this session, Valentin Ramognino will outline the latest EU directives and regulations under discussion that could significantly influence compliance requirements for land-based casinos. He will also highlight key cases currently pending before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) concerning gambling operations and their potential implications for the sector. The presentation offers participants a wider understanding of the EU's regulatory direction and judicial context, providing valuable insight for future compliance planning.

Speaker Bio: Mike Meijer is Manager AML at Holland Casino. He is responsible for anti-money laundering (AML) risk management, financial crime compliance, and the implementation of strategic AML-compliance initiatives across both land-based and online gaming operations. In his role, Mike works closely with regulators, senior management, and operational teams to strengthen customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, and responsible gaming controls. Over the past years, he has led several high-impact compliance and transformation programs, including the implementation of enhanced player tracking capabilities designed to improve customer insights, risk detection, and regulatory compliance. Mike is also involved in preparing Holland Casino for the forthcoming European AML framework and frequently represents the organization in discussions with industry stakeholders and regulatory authorities.

Presentation overview: The forthcoming European Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR) is set to fundamentally reshape compliance expectations for casino operators across Europe. As regulatory requirements around customer identification, transaction monitoring, and risk management continue to increase, many operators are assessing what capabilities they need to remain compliant while maintaining a strong customer experience. In this session, Mike Meijer, Manager AML at Holland Casino, will share a practical case study on the implementation of player tracking across Holland Casino's land-based operations. Rather than viewing player tracking solely as a technology project, Holland Casino approached it as a strategic foundation for the future regulatory landscape. The presentation will explore the drivers behind the initiative, key implementation challenges, stakeholder considerations, and lessons learned along the way. Attendees will gain insight into how player tracking can support AMLR readiness by strengthening customer identification, enabling more effective risk-based monitoring, enhancing player protection measures, and providing better insights for operational and strategic decision-making.
A timely and practical perspective on one of the industry's most important transformations.

Additional speakers and workshop leaders will be announced in the coming weeks. As in previous years, the programme will feature contributions from regulators, law enforcement partners and casino compliance practitioners from across the ECA membership.