Exclusive: KOG School Website Hijacked for Illegal Gambling
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27 Feb 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes In an increasingly connected world, the digital security of educational institutions is being put to the test. Recently, the website of KOG School (Katholiek Onderwijs Geraardsbergen) fell victim to a cyberattack. The site was hijacked to promote illegal online casinos. This latest incident raises critical questions about data protection and the security of educational platforms.
The Hacking of the KOG School Website
The official KOG School website is known for presenting information about the various courses and activities offered by the institution. However, a recent analysis by our journalists revealed that the site had been compromised. Some pages were redirecting visitors to content promoting unregulated online casinos.
A Recurring Phenomenon
The hijacking of the KOG School website is not an isolated case.
In September 2024, the website of Sint-Jozef Humaniora School in Bruges was hacked. The school’s URL was maliciously used to redirect visitors to an illegal online casino site. The school’s principal, Diederik Maes, expressed his shock upon learning about the unlawful use of their website and immediately launched an internal investigation to determine how it happened. The page has since been removed.
In January 2025, the website of IEPS Libramont was also hacked to promote illegal casinos. The site was altered to display a “Top 10 Best Casinos in Belgium” list, which included three illegal platforms already identified by the Belgian Gaming Commission (GC). As of today, the site still displays this message.
The Risks of Illegal Online Casinos
Unregulated online casinos pose significant dangers to players. They do not comply with legal obligations regarding advertising, deposit limits, minimum legal age, or payment methods.
The hacking of educational websites to promote illegal activities damages the credibility of the affected institutions. Schools risk losing the trust of their students, parents, and partners. Moreover, these incidents can lead to administrative sanctions and costly repairs to compromised systems.
We have contacted KOG School for further information regarding the hacking of their website, but we have not yet received a response.
How to Recognize a Legal Casino?
Recognizing a legal casino in Belgium requires verifying several key factors. First, it must hold a valid license issued by the Belgian Gaming Commission. This license ensures that the site complies with strict security and transparency regulations. Additionally, a legal casino must clearly display information about its gaming conditions, deposit limits, and responsible gambling measures. It must also provide secure payment methods and protect players’ personal data.
Gambling Club strongly recommends playing only on legal sites to ensure a safe gaming experience. Licensed casinos are regularly audited to verify compliance with regulations, which is not the case for illegal sites. Furthermore, legal platforms offer legal recourse in case of disputes and protection against fraud. These sites ensure player safety by guaranteeing secure transactions.
By playing on a legitimate site, players are protected from risks such as fraud and game manipulation. Player security is a top priority for legal sites, ensuring safe financial transactions and a transparent gaming environment.