Belgium has revised regulations within its gambling act to improve player protection, confirming that the legal gambling age will be raised from 18 to 21.
The modifications to the Belgium Gambling Act have been posted in a press release on the Gaming Commission’s website following their publication in the Belgium Official Gazette.
Set to come into force on September 1, 2024, the commission stated that the new laws include:
- prohibition of devices “3.3”
- ban on the cumulation of online licences on the same website
- ban on gifts/bonuses/free games
- ban in principle on advertising games of chance
- age limit of 21 years and refund in case of no control
In addition, the commission said that it is seeking “the attention of licence holders E to the adjustments required for bingo and reduced-stakes gaming devices operated in Class III gaming establishments, so that the necessary adjustments to these devices can be implemented in a timely manner”.
The new measures are being implemented with the goal of improving the protection of players with licensed Belgian operators.
Raising the legal gambling age limit to 21 will bring sports betting, arcades, and bingo in line with age requirements at land-based casinos that have been in force since 2018.
However, there are concerns that the new advertising regulations would benefit illegal operators.
In January, the Belgium Association of Gaming Operators expressed opposition to a total gambling advertising ban, stating that it could result in consumers finding it difficult to distinguish between legal and illegal operators.
Tom De Clercq, Chair of BAGO, noted: “BAGO has repeatedly spoken out in favour of limiting advertising, including through traditional media. But we have also always warned that a total ban on advertising in places where illegal operators are massively present, especially online, will have serious side effects.
“We must once again conclude that policymakers ignore the solutions we have proposed and opt for populist formulas.”
