The Reynders couple allegedly laundered 200,000 euros through National Lottery proceeds over a period of five years. If the couple “did not exceed a limit, it was the repetitive behavior and other elements which led us to inform the competent authorities”, underlines Jannie Haek, managing director and president of the management committee of the National Lottery . “This file does not show that our systems do not work. On the contrary, it shows that it is exceptional and that we are not afraid to take our responsibilities.” The Reynders case “demonstrates that the environment of the National Lottery is not a good place” for money laundering activities, added the managing director to Belga.
The Lottery recalls that “lottery games are not very susceptible to money laundering practices”, since “a large number of participants play for relatively modest stakes”. “This makes any activity, with less honorable intentions, very labor intensive and requires a disproportionate amount of time and energy.” Additionally, “the probability of winning is very low.” In other words, “for someone with money laundering intentions, it is in almost all circumstances a high-effort, low-return operation.” In addition, gaming limits apply to player accounts.
Suspicions of money laundering: the BNB is investigating the management of Didier Reynders’ bank account by ING
Via press release, the former minister contested the criminal classification of money laundering and refuted any link with his political mandates. He was not charged
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