Legislation
Belgium – Major changes expected at the Belgian Gaming Commission
By Phil - 3 March 2020
Belgian Justice Minister Koen Geens is about to radically overhaul the leadership of the Gaming Commission, which reports to his ministry.
Mr. Geens has revealed that following the scandal that has engulfed the Commission, these changes will go beyond that of its President Etienne Marique.
“The Minister of Justice, Koen Geens, has received the report of the federal mediator concerning an investigation into an alleged breach of integrity within the Gaming Commission of chance, the statement said. “Since then, it has examined it in depth and carried out the necessary consultations. Now, he will seize the Council of Ministers as soon as possible in order to guarantee the continuity and the functioning of the Gaming Commission. Meanwhile, he asked the president of the SPF Justice to take the necessary measures against the people whose functioning was called into question in the report of the federal ombudsman in order to preserve the integrity of the service.”
These are believed to inlcude the Commission’s director of the secretariat, Peter Naessens, who is the subject of an investigation being carried out by the Integrity Center of the Federal Ombudsman, which is examining abuse and fraud. He is ‘suspected of having accepted gifts from betting operators,’ according to local media.
Alongside receiving bottles of wine, the senior official has also allegedly abused expense reports and was invited to London to strip clubs and to football matches in boxes rented by sports betting operators.
In addition, computer servers seized by the Gaming Commission during an investigation have disappeared. Finally, President Marique’s e-mail was hacked, his professional and private e-mails intercepted and even modified. Fake emails were also fabricated. IT chief Norbert Boyens, who has reached retirement age, has asked to be extended, which will not be the case. Patrick Hubeau, a police officer seconded to the commission to carry out the investigations, will be reinstated in his administration. Their replacements should take place after the appointment of Etienne Marique’s successor as head of the Gaming Commission, who will then build his own team. Two women are in the ranks. Mr. Marique declined to comment on the actions, but said he was ‘devastated by the accusations, and with the public image.’
The staff of the secretariat of the Commission are ‘for the most part highly motivated and competent,’ he added.
Caption: Belgian Justice Minister Koen Geens
