Betclic in the dark over Belgium allegations
French operator reveals its "surprise" at investigation into alleged unlicensed activity in Belgium
Betclic Everest Group has spoken of its “total surprise” at reports the company is under criminal investigation by Belgian authorities for allegedly operating without the necessary licence in Belgium.
Yesterday, eGaming Review revealed that that Betclic could face a fine of up to 1.2m after the Belgian Public Prosecution Office (PPO) seized around 600,000 in relation to transactions purportedly made to the blacklisted site betclic.com.
“Betclic Everest Group expresses its total surprise concerning the information referring to criminal sanctions and fund blocking that the Group is said to face in Belgium,” a Betclic Everest Group spokesperson said.
“Today, Betclic Everest Group, has no direct knowledge nor official information from the Belgian Authorities with regards to the sanctions and reserves its right to comment further when more information, if any, comes to light.
“Betclic Everest Group takes this opportunity to state that today, to its knowledge, all funds and transactions related to Belgian customers are processed normally,” the spokesperson added.
The PPO is said to have received information from a number of financial institutions that Betclic had been in receipt of payments from customers based within the Belgian borders.
A source close to the matter told eGR that a criminal investigation is still on-going and that the PPO reserved the right to seize funds that might serve as evidence prior to a decision being made on whether any sanctions will be handed down.
Should the PPO decide to prosecute the operator, it is also possible one or more board members held responsible for the breach of law could face a prison sentence of between six months and five years.
If prosecuted, Betclic would be the first to be hit with criminal sanctions in the country. In 2012 bwin.party was investigated in a similar case however the operator struck a deal with local casino Groupe Partouche to head-off any potential legal action.
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