BELGIUM WILL NOT LEGALIZE INTERNET GAMBLING, FOR

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000848 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NOFORN SIPDIS EUR/UBI: E.FALLS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2017 TAGS: EFIN EINT PGOV KCRM BE SUBJECT: BELGIUM WILL NOT LEGALIZE INTERNET GAMBLING, FOR NOW REF: 06 BRUSSELS 3951 Classified By: ECONCOUNS TERRI L. ROBL, REASONS 1.4 B/D ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The GOB will not legalize internet gambling, at least under the current government. In November 2006 the Belgian Federal Council of Ministers considered draft legislation that would have legalized internet gambling in Belgium (reftel). Current Belgian press reports cite "legal and technical problems" as reasons for withdrawing the legislative proposal. END SUMMARY ¶2. (SBU) During a March 13 conversation with Econoff, Philippe Vlaemminck, a lawyer representing Belgium's national lottery and an opponent of the draft legislation, stated that the proposed law was withdrawn after both local and international criticism of it, and of Minister of Justice Laurette Onkelinx, who introduced the draft legislation late last year. According to Vlaemminck, legalizing internet gambling is no longer a priority of the current government, especially in light of the Belgian federal elections scheduled for June 10. Vlaemminck emphasized that the issue could be raised by a future government. The reintroduction of legislation, in Vlaemminck's view, would depend on several variables including the composition and priorities of the new government. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: From the perspective of combating financial crimes and closing a potential loophole for money laundering, the abandonment of this legislation is good news. IMBRIE .