After the explanation by Minister of Public Enterprises Petra De Sutter (Green) in the House that the sale of newsagents from bpost to Golden Palace cannot be undone, but that an adjustment has been made to the agreement, political dissatisfaction remains great. Dissatisfied reactions were also received from the majority.
De Sutter said she was not informed of the deal whereby bpost sells 170 newsagents to a gambling company. Neither should the postal company. De Sutter, however, did not find the deal ethically acceptable because it goes against the government’s policy to combat gambling addiction.
She therefore had a legal check as to whether the sale could still be stopped, but that turned out not to be the case. However, she said she could have legally binding commitments added to the agreement, so that the newsagents could not become gambling tents.
Sharp reactions
Sharp reactions came from the opposition and from the majority. “It is a brave attempt, but completely insufficient,” said Vooruit Member of Parliament Joris Vandenbroucke. “There is no guarantee that the number of slot machines will not increase. I think it is still possible that slot machines will be added in our stations and hospitals, despite the amendment.” Vooruit calls for a ban on slot machines in public places.
Vandenbroucke also found it “astonishing” that the management did not inform the guardianship minister. “That shakes my confidence in management,” he said. bpost’s management is coming to parliament next month. Jef Van den Bergh of CD&V was also not satisfied. “I would have preferred further investigation to cancel this, if necessary with compensation. I would take a closer look at that,” he said.
Opposition member Michael Freilich (N-VA) spoke of “a black day for everyone involved with gambling addiction”. He also does not believe in De Sutter’s amendment. “I had hoped it would turn out differently. In the Press Shop (part of the sold stores, ed.) in Berchem, for example, there is no slot machine. The question is whether we can get there now.” Freilich argues for stricter rules. “Slot machines don’t belong in newsagents,” he says.
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