Belgian Gaming Commission targets Betway

Online betting operator Betway has been under scrutiny by the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) for the past year and today (Wednesday) a meeting of six BGC ministers has agreed to begin sanction procedures, multiple Belgian media reports indicated Wednesday.

According to various pieces, the BGC has criticised Betway for alleged links to various companies mentioned in the Paradise Papers, a set of 13.4 million leaked confidential electronic documents relating to offshore investments involving legal firm Appleby, corporate service providers Estera and Asiaciti Trust, and business registries in 19 tax jurisdictions.

Betway faces some serious allegations including a “lack of transparency” around ownership and questions surrounding its multiple licenses, The Brussels Times reports.

“The conclusions of the Gaming Commission will be sent to the ISI [Federal Finance Service], to the Public Prosecutor and the CTIF [Belgian Financial Intelligence Processing Unit],” an unidentified Commission spokeswoman was quoted by publications Le Soir, The Brussels Times and Tijd.

Sanctions, which may include suspension, license withdrawal, and/or financial penalties will only be decided once Betway has an opportunity to respond to the investigation, the spokesperson allegedly said.

In related news, Betway has agreed a two-year sponsorship deal with German esports team Berlin International Gaming.