SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Belgian Kamer (parliament) has been advised “to raise the minimum age for all gambling activities to 21 years” by VAD – The Flemish Experts Centre on Addiction.
The public body recommended the age increase for gambling as one of nine new priorities presented to the government to enhance safeguards and controls against addiction related to drugs, alcohol, gaming, and medications.
An age increase from 18 to 21 was detailed as the ‘most effective measure’ to prevent addiction in consumers participating in gambling.
Since 2018, Belgium has operated a 21-year age limit on customer entry to land-based casino venues. The order was extended last year to include sports betting, arcades, and bingo venues as part of the ‘harmonisation rules’ adopted by amendments to the Royal Decree on Gambling.
VAD had previously proposed “equalising the minimum gambling age to 21”, in its consultation with the government regarding proposals to overhaul Belgium’s federal gambling policy in 2021.
Royal Decree amendments introduced in 2022 saw the government impose a new €200-a-week deposit cap for online gambling accounts, with mandatory bank checks needed for players to lift the limit.
2023 proceedings saw the Kamer approve the Royal Decree’s mandate to impose a federal ban on gambling advertising across all media platforms from 1 July.
Inbound measures will see Belgium expand its restrictions on gambling advertising to include a ban within stadiums from 2025 onwards. Furthermore, beginning 1 January 2028, gambling companies will be prohibited from sponsoring professional sports clubs, including all professional football teams.
As part of the new rules, sponsorship expenses will no longer be tax-deductible for gambling companies.
Belgium’s government continues to review the ‘Gambling Addiction Policy Action Plan 2022-2028’, endorsed by the General Drug Policy Unit, which incorporated several of VAD’s proposals. However, the measures adopted did not ‘meet the expectations’ of the expertise centre.
