Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS848
2007-03-14 10:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM WILL NOT LEGALIZE INTERNET GAMBLING, FOR
VZCZCXRO4878 RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV DE RUEHBS #0848 0731058 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 141058Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4653 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
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
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the proposed law was withdrawn after both local and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
.
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
.