Belgium Equalizes Minimum Legal Age for Gambling

As announced earlier in the year, Belgium decided to take a major leap towards the implementation of stricter regulations to fight off the surge in the number of online gambling addicts. 

Accordingly, the Chamber of Representatives then approved a fresh set of rules proposed by Green MP Stefaan Van Hecke. 

Among them, is the enforcement of higher gambling age limits. Now, the country has finally introduced new laws that will equalize the minimum age for almost all types of gambling.

The fresh changes, which were officially agreed in February and confirmed by Royal Decree in August, will override several gambling laws dating back decades ago.

Vanishing Age Discrepancies – With Exceptions 

Up until now, the European country that spent the last few years restricting online gambling operators was dealing with an important age discrepancy. 

Players were asked to be at least 21 to be allowed to gamble in brick-and-mortar casinos while bingo play, sports wagers betting, and arcade gaming had different age requirements.

The new rules have standardized the minimum age for gambling at 21 across the entire sector, including arcade and bingo gaming and sports betting while also bringing a fresh prohibition on the cumulation of online licenses on the same gambling platform.

The country’s center of expertise for alcohol, illegal drugs, psychoactive medication, gambling, and gaming has been a strong advocate for the raising of gambling age restrictions, claiming legislative changes were “cost-effective” means of curbing addiction among the younger population.

It must be noted that some important exceptions do exist. 

For example, Belgium’s national lottery managed to escape the new restrictions. The prominent operator has still kept its right to offer games to individuals who are at least 18.

Expected Rise in Offshore Gambling 

As expected, the newly introduced bill will bring stricter requirements and impose more restrictions, all expected to trigger serious consequences for operators and regulators.

According to data from an April report, following the 2023 ban imposed on gambling advertisements, the country dealt with a boom in citizens using illegal offshore gambling sites. 

Namely, Belgium recorded a 6% increase in the number of online players who made use of illegal websites in the past three months following the decree, along with a 4% rise in deposits made on the same sites. 

The same is expected to occur now in the context of 500 blacklisted illegal gambling sites officially acknowledged by the Belgian Gaming Commission. 

The 2023 ban was preceded by a decision to put a stop to free bets and bonuses in 2020 while imposing a weekly deposit limit of €200 ($220.81) in October 2022.