Casino Middelkerke in investigation for social fraud: chilling testimony of a former croupier

An investigation has been launched in Belgium against Casino Middelkerke over potential social fraud and possible human trafficking. The case stems from the complaint of a former Filipino employee, hired without a valid work permit and dismissed without proper procedure. A case that shakes the image of a once-respected establishment.

Hired in a rush… without legal checks

In April 2024, a Filipino croupier, then legally working in Bulgaria, applied online for a position at Casino Middelkerke, attracted by better pay. The response came instantly: “We need you quickly,” a staff member wrote to her via WhatsApp. No testing, no background checks. A few weeks later, she was urged to come to Belgium as soon as possible. The casino promised to “take care of everything.”

But at the very first step, a legal hurdle emerged: her work permit request, submitted to the Belgian embassy, was denied. In Belgium, it is the employer—not the worker—who must apply for a single permit, a combined work and residence authorization for non-EU nationals. A legal requirement the casino appeared unaware of.

Employed without a single permit

Despite the rejection of her application, the worker decided to visit the casino. She was picked up at the airport, housed, and given a tour of the premises. Impressed, she resigned from her job in Bulgaria, packed her bags, and moved to Middelkerke. There, she began working as a croupier, was paid into a Bulgarian bank account, and received payslips with a BIS number—a temporary ID number used for non-residents.

“Everything seemed normal,” she recalls. But after several months, she still hadn’t received any residence documents. When she asked her superiors, she got vague or inaccurate answers. In October, she went to the local municipality to clarify things—and discovered the truth: she was working illegally in Belgium.

A brutal dismissal

The employee informed an HR manager at the casino of her situation via message. The manager wrongly insisted that she was responsible for handling her own work permit. As soon as the casino learned she had contacted the authorities, she was dismissed via WhatsApp—without a formal termination letter—and told to immediately vacate the provided accommodation.

Caught between two countries, she couldn’t return to Bulgaria, where her previous permit had expired, nor remain in Belgium without legal status. She became homeless and was temporarily sheltered by members of the Filipino community.

Overwhelmed with anxiety, she confessed:

 “I can no longer support my three children back in the Philippines.”

Labour inspection investigates, justice seeks answers

Alerted by her story, the labour auditor of West Flanders confirmed that an investigation is underway:

“A check is ongoing regarding this person’s employment at Casino Middelkerke.”

The question now is whether this is a case of simple social fraud—or a matter of human trafficking.

According to Jan Buelens, labour law professor at the University of Antwerp, the latter may apply:

“If it’s proven that she was brought to Belgium under false promises, without a valid contract, and dismissed as soon as she tried to assert her rights, this could constitute human trafficking.”

The casino defends itself: we acted in good faith

In an interview with De Standaard, Casino Middelkerke claimed it acted in good faith. According to them, the BIS number, the Dimona declaration (Belgian employment registration), and the proper salary payments prove their intent to comply with the law.

However, the casino did admit it was unaware that the job of croupier is not considered a shortage occupation in Flanders, a key requirement for obtaining a single permit.

The casino’s spokesperson added:

“We were never informed of any illegality by a competent authority. Once the irregularity was identified, we ended the collaboration in accordance with legal requirements.”

Local Authorities React

The local police chief stated that no irregularities were found during a recent inspection of the casino, confirming the employer’s apparent good faith.

Middelkerke’s mayor, Jean-Marie Dedecker, also spoke out in the local press in support of Casino Middelkerke. According to him, the complainant is deceitful and merely trying to save herself, as she is currently residing illegally in Belgium.