New rules introduced in Belgium in 2023 have created a much stricter set of regulations for iGaming operators to be aware of.
Here we take a look at the history and culture of betting in Belgium and what the updated gambling laws mean for operators.
History of gambling in Belgium
The origins of gambling in Belgium, like most northern European countries, can be traced back hundreds of years, with evidence of card games and lotteries in the 1300s and a national lottery from the 15th century.
The construction of the Grand Casino, which was designed by the well-known Belgian architect Leon Stynen, in the seaside town of Knokke was another significant landmark. Unfortunately, the building suffered major damage during World War II, but it was restored and is now the largest casino in Belgium, having also become famous for art exhibitions and musical performances.
Its growing popularity led to the casino operating year-round starting in the 1960s — it had previously only opened during the summer due to its coastal location — with further renovations occurring in the 1980s.
Gambling in Belgium was not legalized until 1999, when the Belgian Gaming Commission was established. For the first time in the country’s history, it meant all gambling activity would be licensed, regulated, and monitored by the state. The Commission includes representatives from the justice, finance, economic affairs, internal affairs, and public health departments.
The Gambling Law of May 7, 1999, defined gambling as a form of “game of chance,” meaning “any game by which a stake of any kind is committed, the consequences of which is either loss of the stake by at least one of the players or a gain of any kind in favor of at least one of the players, or organizers of the game and in which chance is a factor, albeit ancillary, for the conduct of the game, determination of the winner or fixing of the gain.”
The next major development in the history of betting in Belgium came in 2011, when the Belgian Gaming Act introduced significant changes to the laws around betting — most notably, the legalization of online gambling, which was merged with land-based gambling.
Betting regulations in Belgium
The previously mentioned merger means that any online gambling operators in Belgium must also have a license for a land-based gambling facility, and only nine such licenses have been issued.
All casino operators, owners, and employees must have a license to work in the industry, with nine different licenses available depending on which class they fall under.
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Class 1 (casinos) requires license A. If activities include the offering of games or bets online, an additional license A+ is needed.
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Class 2 (amusement arcades) requires license B. If the activities take place online, an additional license B+ is required.
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Class 3 (cafes and establishments that sell alcohol) requires license C for permission to offer a maximum of two games (bingo and/or one-ball).
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Class 4 (bookmakers) requires license F. To organize bets, a license F1 is required. Bookmakers that take bets on behalf of license F1 holders (gaming establishments) require license F2. For online betting, an additional license F+ is required.
Companies operating in Belgium without the correct license are blacklisted by the government, and their details are passed to internet service providers. Large fines are handed out to companies violating the laws, while individual players can be fined for accessing illegal sites.
Unlike in most countries, the minimum legal gambling age has been raised to 21. Belgium’s betting industry has recently undergone a major marketing clampdown aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals, especially minors. The latest phase of the gambling advertising ban was introduced in July 2023, which saw ads banned on television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and in public spaces.
The ban will be expanded beginning in 2025 to include advertising in sports stadiums, and from 2028, gambling companies will no longer be allowed to sponsor professional sports teams. Sponsorship expenses are also no longer tax deductible for betting companies.
There are also laws in place regarding weekly deposit limits on each gambling site, while all gambling bonuses to players are banned, as is the use of credit cards.
Gambling culture in Belgium
Belgium has a gambling culture similar to many other northern European countries, and betting remains a popular pastime for many people. Casinos in the country are among the largest in Europe.
Betting on soccer has surged in popularity, especially over the past decade, when a "golden generation" of players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard made Belgium serious contenders at major international tournaments.
Horse racing is also popular — particularly trotting or harness racing — and is held at two hippodromes. Hippodrome de Wallonie/Mons has grown in popularity since its creation in 1999, while Hippodrome Waregem, with a capacity of 40,000, hosts the annual Great Flanders Steeplechase.
The success of Belgian riders in the Tour de France has also made betting on cycling popular. In addition, the state-run National Lottery (Loterie Nationale Belgique) offers a wide variety of games.
The future of gambling in Belgium
Belgium is home to the European Union’s headquarters and prides itself on following EU regulations. However, some of the country’s gambling laws are out of sync with those standards. In particular, the mandatory link between online and land-based gambling appears increasingly outdated and may be reevaluated, potentially reshaping the country's betting landscape.
The increasingly strict advertising rules have been challenged by bookmakers, but a court case was dismissed by EU judges. As a result, the new laws appear to be here to stay despite ongoing protests.
Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO) representative Tom De Clercq said in January: “BAGO has repeatedly spoken out in favor of restricting advertising, including through traditional media. But we have also always warned that a total ban on advertising in places where illegal operators are widespread — especially online — will have serious side effects. We must once again note that policymakers ignore the solutions we provide and instead go for populist formulas.”
The new rules seem set to shape Belgium’s betting landscape for the foreseeable future.
