Exclusive: IEPS Libramont site hacked to promote illegal gambling
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22 Jan 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes At Gambling Club, player safety is at the heart of our concerns. During our research, we discovered that the website of IEPS Libramont, an institution renowned for its professional training, was hacked to display a “top 10 of the best casinos in Belgium”. In this top, we find at the top 3 illegal casinos already listed as such by the Gaming Commission. This cyberattack raises questions about the security of our schools’ digital infrastructures and the increase in hacks targeting institutional platforms.
A recurring scenario
This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred. Last September, Gambling Club revealed a similar hack on the website of a school in Bruges. As in Libramont, the hackers had managed to divert the content of the site to promote unregulated online gambling platforms, despite the strict laws in force in Belgium.
The scale of these attacks seems to follow a well-established pattern. By exploiting security flaws in computer systems, hackers modify the content of websites to redirect visitors to illegal platforms. The choice of schools as a target is particularly troubling, as it targets institutions that rarely have the means to protect themselves effectively.
A multiple impact
“These attacks are not limited to illegal advertising: they also undermine the credibility of the targeted institutions.” explains a cybersecurity expert. Affected schools, such as IEPS Libramont, see their reputation tarnished and risk losing the trust of students, parents and partners.
The problem also has a legal and economic dimension. Illegal casinos circumvent the strict rules of the Belgian Gaming Commission, which aims to protect consumers from abusive practices and the risks of addiction.
The increase in advertising for illegal platforms
In recent weeks, cases of advertising for illegal casinos have exploded, whether on compromised sites or on social networks. These illegal sites and their partners use sophisticated techniques to dupe players. They create well-referenced affiliate sites that appear reliable on the surface, but then redirect visitors to unregulated platforms. Some go so far as to use fake reviews and logos imitating those of licensed casinos or those of the Belgian Gaming Commission to strengthen their credibility.
These strategies manipulate players, especially the least informed, and expose them to considerable economic and personal risks.
How to protect yourself as a player?
For players, it is crucial to always choose legal and secure casinos. Here are some practical tips:
- Check the licenses: Make sure the casino is licensed by the Belgian Gaming Commission.
- Avoid offers that are too good to be true: Excessive bonuses and unclear conditions are often red flags. Remember that the bonuses offered by casinos are limited in Belgium.
- Consult reliable reviews: Use recognized independent platforms to evaluate the reputation of casinos.
- Check security certifications: Look for HTTPS protocols and clear information on data protection.
- Check the blacklist of illegal casinos: The Gambling Commission maintains a list of illegal casinos.
By adopting these reflexes, players can avoid scams and enjoy a safer gambling experience.
The results of this investigation have been forwarded to the Gambling Commission and will be shared at a later date.