Expatica news

“Bets on government formation illegal”

19 September 2007

BRUSSELS – The Gaming Commission has filed a complaint against gambling site Unibet. The website allows visitors to bet money on the date on which they think a new government will be formed. Unibet insists the betting is entirely legal.

The Gaming Commission however contests this. Betting on events is prohibited, with the exception of sports matches and horse racing.

The gambling site risks a penalty of a 6-month to 5-year suspension and a fine of EUR 100,000. It does not plan to stop the betting in response to the complaint. Unibet says it is acting in accordance with European law.

Unibet’s lawyer says the betting is legal, VRT radio reports. Unibet points out that there is no obstacle to organising this kind of betting in other European countries. European treaties ensure that this must also be the case in Belgium, Unibet says.

[Copyright Expatica News 2007]

Subject: Belgian news