Casinos.co.uk: Casino News Archive
Friday 21st September 2007
Online Gaming Group in Trouble in Belgium
The Belgian Gaming Commission has filed a complaint against online gambling group Unibet regarding its political proposition betting policy on the formation of the nation’s new government.
The Commission said that it filed a complaint with the Brussels prosecutor's office claiming Unibet's game of chance on when Belgium's deeply divided political leaders would form a new national government was against the law.
'Gambling on a date when a new government is formed is illegal,' said Marc Callu from the Commission.
In terms of European law, Unibet claims that its policy of real money betting on political events is entirely legal and above board but this is being contested by Belgian authorities. They allege that event betting is forbidden under Belgian law with the exception of licensed sports competitions and horse racing.
However, Unibet points out that there is no obstacle to organising this kind of betting in other European countries, and European treaties ensure that this must also be the case in Belgium. If the company is wrong, it could face a penalty of a six-month to five-year suspension and a fine of up to $140,755.
Following election in June, Belgian politicians have been deadlocked for several months in forming a Government due to a dispute between the country's Dutch-speaking and French-speaking representatives, raising questions about Belgium's survival as a nation. Unibet's site offers gamblers 25 to one odds for those who think a new Government will be formed before October 1, dropping to 2.5 to one if they pick a date after December 1, 2007.
Source:OnlineCasinoNews
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