Leuven's mayor, Mohamed Ridouani (Vooruit), has no intention of authorising new betting agencies in his town, he told the town council on Monday evening.
However, he also turned down a proposal from a Christen Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) parliamentarian to close down this type of business.
After the town of Genk recently announced that it would no longer authorise betting agencies, CD&V councillor Els Van Hoof suggested on Monday that Leuven’s two agencies should be closed.
“The two current agencies have a historical presence in the city,” the mayor responded. “There are no reported problems with them. They are also closely monitored in terms of opening hours, security, minimum age of visitors, etc."
"That’s why we have renewed the covenant with them," Mayor Ridouani said, referring to an agreement between the gaming offices and the local authorities that has been mandatory since 2018.
On the other hand, he has no intention of signing any agreements for new agencies. “We have always refrained from doing so, or at least discouraged it," he said. "I also look forward to any new legislation that would give local authorities greater room for manoeuvre.”
