Belgium sets age limit at 21 across entire gambling sector

Belgium has enacted new regulations that raise the minimum gambling age to 21 across all sectors, including sports betting, arcades, and bingo. This change aligns with the existing age requirement for land-based casinos, which has been in place since 2018.

The new rules, confirmed by royal decree in August 2024, override previous gambling laws, reflecting Belgium’s broader effort to tighten its regulatory framework for the gambling industry. The updated regulations come as part of a series of measures designed to curb gambling-related harm.

Recent regulatory changes include a near-total ban on gambling advertising, implemented in 2023, a prohibition on bonuses and free bets since 2020, and a €200 ($216.54) weekly deposit limit. Additionally, there is now a restriction on the cumulation of online licenses on a single website.

VAD, the Flemish center for addiction prevention, has supported the new age restrictions as a “cost-effective” method to combat youth gambling addiction. However, licensed gambling operators have expressed concerns that these stricter regulations may push players towards illegal offshore gambling sites.

A report by Gaming1 highlighted an increase in illegal gambling activities, noting a 6% rise in players using illegal websites following the advertising ban, and a 4% increase in illegal deposits. The Belgian Gaming Commission has blacklisted 500 illegal sites, while a Yield Sec report revealed a 4.4-fold increase in illegal operators in 2023, identifying 2,214 such websites.