The country makes the minimum age for all forms of gambling 21
Belgium is tightening its gambling regulations, raising the minimum age for all forms of gambling to 21. This change, which came into effect in February 2024, aligns the age requirement for sports betting, arcades, and bingo with that of physical casinos. The shift, validated by a recent royal decree, repeals several longstanding gaming laws and is part of Belgium’s broader efforts to impose stricter controls on the gambling industry.
This regulatory overhaul follows a series of measures Belgium has implemented in recent years to curb gambling-related issues. In 2023, the country nearly eliminated gambling advertising through a royal decree, banned bonuses and free bets, and imposed a €200 weekly deposit limit. The recent move to raise the minimum gambling age is seen as a continuation of these efforts, aiming to reduce youth addiction to gambling.
Supporters of the age increase, such as the Flemish Expertise Center VAD, argue that this measure is a cost-effective way to protect younger individuals from the risks of gambling addiction. However, licensed gambling operators in Belgium have expressed concerns that these stricter regulations might inadvertently drive players towards unregulated, offshore gambling sites.
These concerns are backed by recent data. A report from Belgium-based operator Gaming1 indicated a 6% increase in the use of illegal gambling websites and a 4% rise in deposits on unregulated platforms following the 2023 advertising ban.
Additionally, the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) has blacklisted over 500 illicit gambling websites, but the number of illegal operators continues to grow, as highlighted by a Yield Sec report showing a 4.4-fold increase in unlawful gambling sites in 2023.
Belgium now faces the challenge of balancing the need to protect vulnerable players with the risk of pushing more people towards illegal gambling markets as it enforces these stricter regulations.
