Belgium Enjoys Success in Making Gamblers More Responsible

Last spring, Belgium took an essential step towards implementing stricter regulations meant to fight off the rising number of gambling addicts in the online market.

A few months later, on September 1, the European country that recently added Polymarket to its list of banned websites rolled out a fresh set of responsible gambling protections.

The combination of measures, which also included other important policy changes, seems to have paid off. 

In the past year, 56,458 individuals chose to exclude themselves from gambling on a voluntary basis, marking a 13.6% increase from the previous year. 

The data, provided by Peter Van Rompuy, leader of the Christian Democratic and Flemish (CD&V) group in the Flemish Parliament, was sourced from former Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt. 

EPIS Records 120% Registration Increase

Belgium’s Excluded Persons Information System (EPIS), which has been in place since 2004, allows individuals to self-register in an effort to prevent access to gambling sites and venues. 

The number of people on the EPIS list has steadily risen, with a 120% increase from 2015, when 32,136 individuals were registered.

Van Rompuy went on to emphasize the constantly growing concern related to gambling addiction. 

The CD&V leader described it as a “social problem that not only causes financial misery but also leads to significant human suffering.” 

He also commended the government’s proactive stance on tackling the issue, calling the EPIS list a vital protective tool for vulnerable individuals. 

Van Rompuy lauded the Gaming Commission’s efforts to promote awareness of the list and simplify the registration process. 

Since late 2021, individuals have been able to self-register via the Itsme app, making it easier for people to opt into exclusion. 

Besides the Itsme application, individuals holding a Belgian identity card or a residence permit can use an electronic form (French and Dutch versions available) or a card reader and their Belgian identity card to apply for an access ban.

Foreign Belgian residents or individuals who do not have a Belgian identity card or a residence permit can use a different electronic form to apply.

Professional Obligation and Judicial Request Exclusions

In addition to voluntary exclusions, there are also measures in place to prevent access to gambling based on professional reasons. 

For example, bailiffs, notaries, and police officers can be denied access to gambling sites and venues as part of their professional obligations. 

Last year, close to 59,000 people were excluded for professional reasons, and nearly 5,500 individuals were banned on judicial requests. Moreover, 62,068 exclusions were tied to collective debt settlement.