Ethics complaint sees Belgium BGC leadership probed

Belgium’s ‘Centre for Integrity’ (CINT), a division serving the nation’s federal ombudsman, is set to investigate the Belgium Gambling Commission (BGC) with a review into the regulatory authority’s integrity standards, policies and practices.

The investigation follows an ‘internal complaint’ launched against the BGC last summer, which accused senior civil servants of ‘ethics violations’ in relation to governing Belgium gambling marketplace. The CINT is a government unit which can launch investigations against federal administrative departments upon complaints of behaviour.

Belgian news sources report that CINT will conduct a probe on whether BGC civil servants knowingly participated in corruption and whether they broke the regulator’s code of ethics.

The CINT will review five core accusations related to the civil servants’ behaviour, including misuse of government funds, abuse of power, intercepting employee emails and accepting gifts from BGC licensed operators.

Belgium Dutch language newspaper Het Laatste has revealed that Peter Naessens, Acting Director-General of the BGC, will be investigated by CINT officials. Naessens has issued a statement denying any wrongdoing and further underlines that he will defend himself against all allegations.

Belgium’s Federal Justice Minister Koen Geens (pictured), charged with departmental oversight of the BGC, stated that he would not comment on the investigation until the CINT concludes its report.

Geens has reaffirmed that appropriate measures will be taken against civil servants who have breached BGC ethics and standards.