Jerry Jackson Belgium’s National Lottery has revealed details of an alleged money-laundering scheme involving former EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders and his wife. The couple is accused of funneling nearly €50,000 through lottery e-tickets in just one year, raising significant concerns.
How the Alleged Scheme Worked
The allegations focus on e-tickets, lottery vouchers worth up to €100, purchased at retail locations and deposited into online accounts. These accounts could then transfer winnings directly to standard bank accounts.
E-tickets account for a small portion of lottery sales, which made the suspicious activity stand out. In 2024, only four of 6,500 sales points exceeded €10,000 in e-ticket sales. Investigators identified two accounts, allegedly tied to Reynders and his wife, each depositing around €25,000. The accounts primarily transferred funds instead of reinvesting, heightening suspicion.
Timeline of the Investigation
The National Lottery first noticed unusual activity in 2021 and brought in KPMG to assess the risks. By early 2022, concerns about money laundering led to a formal notification to federal prosecutors. However, action from prosecutors did not come until August 2023, shortly after Reynders’ term as EU Commissioner ended.
Prosecutors have not explained the delay, but some speculate it was related to concerns about potential immunity during Reynders’ term. The funds in question are estimated at €1 million, with around 20% allegedly laundered through the lottery.
Reynders Denies Allegations
Reynders, through his lawyer, denied the accusations, asserting the funds originated from his personal wealth and were unrelated to his political role. He also called earlier claims of bribery politically motivated attacks.
While casinos are often linked to money laundering, lotteries are generally seen as less risky due to lower payout rates and stricter controls. The intense scrutiny of this case supports the argument that lotteries are not an effective tool for laundering funds.