Gambling paraphernalia. Source: Shutterstock

Belgium bans gambling for under 21s

Belgium has enacted new regulations in its online gambling sector, raising the minimum age for participation to 21 years across all forms of gambling.

This age restriction now aligns with that of physical casinos, where players must also be at least 21 years old to engage in activities such as sports betting, slot machines, and bingo.

The reforms were approved in February 2024 and formalised via royal decree last month, leading to the repeal of various longstanding gambling laws in the country.

Since 2020, Belgium has prohibited bonuses and free bets, implementing a weekly deposit cap of €200, and enforcing a ban on multiple online licences on a single platform.

Despite these changes, licensed gambling operators have expressed concerns that the new regulations may push players toward illegal gambling sites. A report from Belgian operator Gaming1 indicates a 6% rise in the number of online players accessing illegal platforms, coinciding with a royal decree that banned advertising and noted a 4% increase in deposits to unauthorised gambling websites.

3 September 2024, 09:29

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