Belgium has an interesting take on online gambling, one that differs much in comparison to how other European nations choose to tackle this subject. Whereas most states embrace or reject online gambling altogether, Belgium has different ideas. All forms of gambling are allowed in the country, however, there are heavy regulations imposed on betting companies which have to be
followed to the letter.

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Sports betting is one of the permitted types of gambling featured in the country and customers have access to a decent range of sportsbooks. However, the legalities of the situation may not be clear to all. For your convenience, we have gathered the most important information regarding online betting in Belgium and have included it below in an easy to understand manner.

1. What Are the Gambling Laws in Belgium? If you reside in Belgium, you’re lucky because you live in one of the most gambling-friendly countries of the European Union. Unlike many other EU countries, Belgium has been a leader in legalizing gambling. Thanks to this, Belgian players have easy access to gambling both online and offline.
2. Although gambling has a legal status in Belgium, the country has only nine brick-and-mortar casinos, with the largest one being the sea-front Knokke-Heist. Remote gambling is also legal and regulated in Belgium although few online casinos are licensed by the local regulator.
3. Gambling regulations (Belgian gambling laws requires a Gambling business to have a local physical gambling point and proper license in order to provide online gambling).
4. Land-based gambling. The Gaming Act has been amended by the Law of 7 May 2019 'to amend the Law of 7 May 1999 on games of chance, bets, gaming establishments and the protection of the players' (Law of 7 May 2019). The Law of 7 May 2019 was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 15 May 2019.

1. • Min Odds: 2/5 (1.40)
   • Turnover: 5x B
   • Expiration: 7 days
2. • Min Odds: 1/5 (1.20)
   • Turnover: 1x Bet
   • Expiration: NO
3. • Min Odds: 17/10 (1.70)
   • Turnover: 5x D+B
   • Expiration: 30 days
4. • Min Odds: 4/5 (1.80)
   • Turnover: 5x D+B
   • Expiration: 30 days
5. • Min Odds: 2/5 (1.40)
   • Turnover: NO
   • Expiration: 30 days

Legalities of Online Sports Betting in Belgium

Historical Betting Overview

Belgium has a long history with gambling dating back to the 19th century, as indicated by the Lotteries Act of 1851. Modern online gambling, on the other hand, has been unregulated for the most part and already existing regulations were lax, at best. This was during a period where the online betting scene in Belgium was taking off and many different providers were moving into the market. For better or for worse, Belgian punters had access to a wide range of platforms to bet on. It was not until the Gaming Act of 2011, which went into effect on 1 January 2011, that the online betting market saw true regulations. In fact, this piece of legislation introduced rules covering just about every aspect of the online gambling scene and brought proper conduct to the Belgian online gambling industry. However, the strict regulations made it impossible for some providers to operate within the country legally and the market was reduced to a limited number of licensed entities.

Odds Format in Belgium

There are three main odds types in the current sports betting scene – decimal, fractional and American. Fractional odds are mostly used at Irish and UK betting websites, while American odds are featured at US sportsbooks. Belgium websites, on the other hand, will display the decimal format, by default. This is the trend at most European betting sites. Decimal odds are presented as such:

Betting Options: 1.50

What this tells us is that for every $100 that we wager, we stand to win $50 in profit, for a net total of $150 after the bet is settled. Unlike fractional odds, the decimal format represents the total amount that will be added to your bankroll after the sports event concludes. Decimal odds are useful in the sense that very little multiplication is required to read them properly, making them accessible to just about everyone.

Belgium Betting Laws and Legislation

With the introduction of the Gaming Act of 2011, the Belgian online betting industry saw strict and precise regulations that all operators have to follow. Moreover, to offer its services a betting company first has to be licensed by the Belgium Gaming Commission. This regulatory institution has licenses for all the different betting types. Sports betting is classified with an F-type license and there are three different types. An F1 license permits a person to organize bets, whereas entities that accept wagers need to acquire an F2 license. An F+ license is required to accept bets over the Internet and it is tied to an F2 license. All F-style licenses last for 9 years before they have to be renewed.

A holder of an F-style license has to fulfil several requirements before the license is issued. For one, companies need to be incorporated under Belgian law or other EU member states. Furthermore, they have to prove their tax liabilities are satisfied and showcase their financial capacity. Not only that but for the sake of transparency, all persons involved, including shareholders, need to have their identities revealed.

As far as taxation is concerned, all online bets are taxed 11% on the net profit. It is worth pointing out that gambling debts to unlicensed operators are not enforceable. However, those to licensed ones are.

Belgium Betting Restrictions

When it comes to restrictions, Belgian gambling laws can be quite draconian in certain aspects. Starting off with the lightest restriction type, the minimum gambling age in Belgium is 18 years old. This is the standard for most forms of betting in Belgium, with the exception of casino gambling where the minimum age starts at 21 years old.

But that is only the start. The gambling authorities in Belgium have determined that only a limited number of gambling licenses can be issued overall. This means that a smaller number of operators can offer their services to a Belgian customer base at any time. For F1 license holders, the limit is 34, while F2 licensees cannot exceed 60.

Additionally, in order to provide online betting in Belgium, the company needs to run land-based establishments. Effectively, this blocks most international betting platforms from working in Belgium. Moreover, the Belgium government will prosecute all companies that operate without a licence, while Belgian residents who gamble at unlicensed platforms can be fined up to €25,000.

Online Betting Regulatory Body in Belgium

All gambling in Belgium is regulated by the Belgium Gaming Commission. This government body was established in 1999 and it oversees all forms of betting in the country, including casino gaming, poker, bingo, horse racing betting, fantasy betting, lotteries, skill games, and of course, sports betting.

The BGC imposes strict rules that operators have to follow and makes sure that the companies eligible for licensing are in line with regulations. Specifically, the BGC requires the privacy of punters to be protected, prohibits the exploitation of vulnerable customers, and ensures that punters are paid accordingly, among others.

The Belgium Gaming Commission has done a great job at enforcing all laws and regulations to ensure that customers are treated fairly. Moreover, this institution is quite thorough when vetting potential licensing candidates to verify their integrity and legitimacy.

Belgium Online Betting Bonuses

There are plenty of benefits to betting at Belgian online sportsbooks and among the major ones, we count promotions and bonuses. Since most bookmaker websites offer similar odds and betting markets, a great way to choose one over another is to look at the promotions they offer. These come in several different forms and each will provide you with a different form of value.

A common promotion type is the deposit bonus. Bookmaker websites will match your deposit up to a certain amount and add it to your balance as bonus funds. These can be used to place bets on different sports events and once you meet the turnover requirement, you will get to cash it in. This has to be on specific odds or higher in most cases and the turnover will usually be anywhere between 4 to 8 times the bonus value.

Alternatively, free bets are also another popular bonus type at modern online sportsbooks. The betting website will allow you to place a wager with a specific value at no cost to you. If bet losses, your bankroll will not suffer. However, if it wins, you get to take the profit from it. Some sportsbooks may ask you to fulfil a turnover requirement, while others may be more liberal in their terms.

Odds boosts are always great to have since they not only increase your winnings but also come with very few restrictions. These can be applied on traditional bets or parlays, where each additional leg adds an extra 1% to your profits. This bonus type comes with the lowest risk factor making them ideal for everyone.

Mobile Betting in Belgium

Mobile betting is becoming ever more popular with smartphones and tablets getting so prevalent in everyday life. So much so, that many people are forgoing the desktop sportsbooks altogether. Bookmaker websites have caught onto this trend and are looking to deliver the best possible mobile experience to their customers. Practically, every betting website worth its salt will offer a mobile version of its service.

You will quickly learn that mobile betting is just as good as doing it on a desktop platform or in person at a bookmaker shop. The mobile sportsbooks are easily accessible from every mobile device and one can easily set up an account. As soon as you are ready to bet, you will notice that you have full access to all the features of the platform. This includes all supported betting markets, regular promotions and perhaps even exclusive mobile ones, customer support, banking solutions and just about anything else you can think of.

The major brands have put in considerable effort to make sure that their customers can easily access their respective mobile platforms and that the overall experience is enjoyable. We are certain that if you are a fan of mobile betting, the modern online betting scene has much to offer you.

Popular Betting Banking Methods in Belgium

Online gambling comes with certain peculiarities not featured in its brick and mortar counterpart. One such is an inability to use physical cash to place bets, instead, you will have to rely on an online payment solution to get your money into your bankroll. These are available in several different forms, each offering something different.

At modern online sportsbooks, credit cards are always an option. Practically all bookmaker websites accept Visa and MasterCard, while some will also support the likes of Maestro, Amex, or Diners Club. Credit card transactions are instant, allowing you to immediately start betting. Moreover, withdrawals are also possible and can take several business days to process.

If credit cards are not for you, then consider the eWallets supported by the industry. Specifically, these include Skrill and Neteller, which are accepted at a universal basis, as well as, PayPal, EntroPay, ecoPayz, and others. The main benefits of eWallets include instant deposits and withdrawals, enhanced privacy and overall convenience.

The online betting scene also supports great alternatives to these two types. Prepaid cards are great for some customers, though there are detriments, such as an inability for withdrawals. Online banking is also quite useful if your bank works with the supported service. Overall, you will have a slew of banking options at your disposal whenever you sign up at Belgian betting websites.

Verifying one’s identity is a mandatory process at all reputable sportsbooks, not just Belgian ones. It is required by the regulatory authority to ensure that all participants are eligible to gamble at that particular platform. It is used to weed out all underage persons and those in non-supported jurisdictions. Moreover, identity verification is also necessary for tax purposes.

If you are ever in a disagreement with a betting site, you can always reach out to the appropriate authorities. In the case of Belgian websites, this is the Belgium Gaming Commission. This institution has the last say where disputes are concerned and it will ensure that all regulations and laws are applied rightfully.

Strictly speaking, the sportsbook will abide by the terms of the promotion but you will also be held to the same standard. It is important to read the rules of the bonus before you do anything to understand what is required of you and how to go about doing it. It is often the case that gamblers will not read the terms of a promotional offer and have their bonus seized as a result of breaking the rules.

There is nothing stopping you from opening accounts with multiple providers at once. In fact, this is one way to get the best odds possible for specific sports events. However, what is often not allowed is holding multiple accounts with the same betting site. In such cases, this can be considered abuse which will result in a ban and your bankroll being returned to you.

There are a plethora of reasons why this could happen, ranging from fault with the payment provider, incorrect payment information, and others. It is important that all your banking information matches your personal data, as indicated on your ID or driver’s license.

Gambling in Belgium is legal entertainment. The organization of the gambling business has been authorized since May 7, 1999. Online gambling has been legalized since 2002. The Belgian Gambling Commission regulates the gambling market and issues licenses.

Today the country operates:

• 3 hippodromes;
• 9 land-based casinos;
• over 2,600 bet acceptance points.

According to 2015 data, the gross income from the gambling business in Belgium amounted to 360.1 million EUR, of which 54.6 million is the income of bookmakers.

Belgium gambling legislation

Belgian law permits the organization and provision of gambling. Any entertainment in the course of which bets are placed are considered as such. Their list includes:

• card and board games;
• slot machines;
• sports betting.

Gambling does not include sports events themselves. Also, card and board games at carnivals and fairs and those organized for the purpose of charity are not considered gambling.

Any activity in the field of gambling is permissible only with a license issued by the Belgian Gaming Commission. Advertising of unlicensed establishments and participation in games on such sites is punishable by law.

Gambling regulators and laws

The Belgian Gaming Commission regulates the activities of gambling sites. The Commission operates in accordance with the Law on Gambling, adopted on May 7, 1999, and with the Law on Legalization of Online Gambling of 2002.

In the online gambling business, there are two additional royal decrees. According to the first, the operator is obliged to provide information about his name, site structure, server and contacts. The second requires the provision of information about:

• the operator’s creditworthiness;
• fiscal obligations;
• marketing policy of the company;
• protection of personal data and customer transactions;
• policy regarding socially vulnerable groups of the population.

Thus, the decrees require constant interaction between operators of online gambling sites with the Belgian Gaming Commission.

The provision of gambling services is taxed. The tax is 11% of the operator’s gross revenue. Since July 2016, the value added tax at online casinos has been increased to 21%.

License conditions

The Belgian Gambling Commission issues several types of licenses. Among them:

• Class A license – issued to a casino for 15 years;
• A + – online casino organization;
• B – gambling halls with slot machines, issued for 9 years;
• В + – online slot machines and arcades;
• С – issued to drinking establishments, allows placing slot machines;
• D – license for the activities of all previous classes;
• E – license for the sale and purchase, import and export of equipment for gambling;
• F1, F1 + and F2 are betting licenses. Allows you to accept bets at land-based bookmaker outlets, online and from mobile devices.
• G1 and G2 – licenses for holding lotteries and tournaments with the participation of television and the media.

The type of license in Belgium is paid. A casino license costs 15,000 EUR, gambling halls – 7,500 EUR, sales and repairs of equipment for gambling – 2,500 EUR. A company can hold only one type of license.

An application for a license to the Belgian Gambling Commission is submitted with a number of documents. These include:

1. IDs of the founder / founders of the company;
2. certificate of observance of political and civil rights;
3. certified copies of tax returns (last three);
4. extract from the court report (no later than three months from the date of receipt).

Also, in order to obtain permission to organize a gambling business, it is necessary to form insurance capital. The amount of capital depends on the type of license:

• А, А + – 250,000 EUR;
• B, B + – 75,000 EUR;
• E – 25,000 EUR;
• F1 – 10,000 EUR;
• F1 + – 75,000 EUR;
• G1 – 80,000 EUR.

Licensed Gambling

The list of permitted gambling is regulated by royal decree. It complements the 1999 Gambling Act. In Belgium casinos, table games and automatic games are allowed. Table games include poker, baccarat, blackjack, craps, roulette, sic bo, bingo. Automatic – slots, betting terminals, video poker and others.

For establishments of different classes, there is a list of games supplied using slot machines. The following slots are available in the casino:

Gambling Operators In Belgium

• with reels and video slots;
• video poker;
• digital versions of bingo and keno;
• terminals with bets on horse racing;
• wheel of Fortune.

It is allowed to place slot machines (up to 30 slot machines) and digital versions of table games in the gaming halls:

• black Jack;
• poker;
• roulette;
• terminals for bets;
• bones.

No more than two machines can be placed in drinking establishments. Of the permitted games – an electronic version of billiards.

Laws protecting clients of land-based and online casinos

Citizens over the age of 21 have the right to visit casinos and gambling halls. Persons over 18 years of age can play machines in drinking establishments and place bets. In all types of establishments, except for casinos, payments are made in cash. Bank cards are accepted only in land-based establishments and online casino sites if the transaction amount exceeds EUR 10,000.

Bets in casinos and gambling halls are accepted by coupons or chips. They are purchased for real money. Prize coupons and chips can also be exchanged for real money in establishments. The only bets accepted in real currency are sports betting.

The limits for bets, losses and wins are determined by the King of Belgium:

• in gambling halls, a player can place bets no more than 25 EUR per hour;
• in pubs, the total hourly rate does not exceed EUR 12.5;
• at the points of acceptance of bets, you can place no more than 12.5 EUR per hour.

Any violation of the Gambling Act by operators is punishable by a penalty of one month to three years. A fine of EUR 0.64-2 478 will also be charged. In the event of a repeated violation, the penalties are doubled, the money of the institution is also seized and the equipment for gambling is confiscated.

Online gambling in Belgium

Gambling Regulation In Belgium

Online gambling has been allowed in Belgium since 2002. A +, B + and F1 + licenses are only issued to individuals or companies who are physically represented. That is, to organize online sports betting, you need to have a license from an F1 bookmaker and own at least one real betting point.

The popularity of online gambling is growing every year. The growth in demand can be traced by analyzing the reports of the annual profits of online establishments. Thus, in 2014, the revenue of online casinos amounted to 54 million EUR. This is twice the income reported in the 2013 report. Online gambling halls brought in 49.8 million EUR in 2015, and bookmakers that accept bets on sites – 46.3 million EUR.

To date, registered in Belgium:

• online casino – 101;
• internet poker rooms – 14;
• sites for sports betting – 21;
• sites with online bingo – 18;
• mobile online casinos – 14;
• online lotto – 3;
• sites for betting on fantasy sports – 2.

The most popular online casinos providing services in Belgium are:

1. Omni Slots provides a 100% deposit bonus on the first deposit of 300 EUR + 50 free spins. Site languages ​​- French, German, English;
2. Betsupremacy Casino offers a 100% deposit bonus when you deposit 300 USD. Site languages ​​- English and German;
3. 7Bit Casino – provide a welcome bonus of 100% of the maximum deposit of EUR 100 and 175 free spins. Site language – English;
4. BetAdonis Casino with a 100% deposit bonus for deposits up to 115 EUR. The site is provided in English and German;
5. Casino Room – provides two types of deposit bonuses: 100% when you deposit 500 EUR + 60 free spins on Starburst slot with promo code BONUSCR and 100% when depositing 500 EUR + 80 free spins on Starburst slot machine with promo code CRBONUS.

In addition to online slots, bets and table games, other gambling entertainment is also popular in Belgium. These include bingo, bingo and fantasy sports. Also, the popularity of mobile casinos has been growing recently.

Popular slot machines

In Belgium, the most popular slots are modern slots with numerous bonuses, plot and 3D animation. The list of favorite slots for online users includes products from Betsoft, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, NYX Gaming and QuickSpin. Among them:

• Viking Age (Betsoft);
• Gonzos Quest (NetEnt);
• Queen of Gold (Pragmatic Play);
• Titan Thunder (QuickSpin);
• The Spin Lab (NYX Gaming).

Among the machines with digital table games, Belgians prefer the products of NetEnt, Playtech and iSoftBet. Analyzing the lists of popular applications in online casinos in Belgium, we note that games with a high-quality visual component, a convenient control panel and various additional features are in great demand.

Even new and not so well-known companies (for example, Endorphina) are more successful than the monsters of the gambling industry – Greentube and IGT. This is primarily due to the fact that the audience of gambling establishments, including online sites, is “getting younger.” The number of women playing is also increasing. Unlike men, they prefer bright and varied gameplay.

Belgian casino software developers

Today, there are no well-known Belgian online slots developers in the global gambling market. Manufacturing companies working in the gambling business are mainly engaged in the creation of equipment and software for land-based casinos. These include:

• Belgian Gaming Technology;
• Elaut N.V. (Victory & Dice Roulette);
• GAA;
• Seeben.

Belgian Gaming Technology supplies casino equipment, distributes physical slot machines from global manufacturers, provides service and technical support.

Elaut N.V. (Victory & Dice Roulette) is a developer of equipment for land-based casinos. The company produces roulette and craps, creates combined platforms for table games.

GAA is a developer and supplier of board game and bingo equipment.

Seeben – Provides computer hardware and software for casinos in Belgium.

Prospects for the development of gambling business in Belgium

Today the gambling industry in Belgium is legalized and quite developed. Gambling services are delivered both in land-based establishments and online. Most of the companies represented in the Belgian gambling market are national. However, the Gambling Commission also cooperates with world renowned providers.

For example, Belgians use the well-known poker rooms Poker Stars and Party Poker, which are not owned by national operators. Betcenter and Canadian developer Income Access launched an affiliate program last year. And the management of the reputable national brand Circus Group has entered into a partnership with the developer of software for casinos Betsoft.

The Belgian government plans to further support the integration of the national and global gambling market. At the same time, the country’s legislative framework will continue to adhere to the policy of protecting users from gambling addiction, regulate permissible bets and loss limits, and blacklist dubious platforms.

Findings

The gambling business in Belgium is strictly regulated by law. Land and online establishments operate exclusively under licenses issued by the Belgian Gaming Commission. Every year, the commission reviews various online sites, checks their reliability and monitors the market. Suspicious or banned sites are blacklisted.

Is Gambling Legal In Belgium

The gambling industry in Belgium generates multi-million dollar revenues and at the same time cares about the safety of consumers. The decrees of the King of Belgium regulate the limits of bets and losses within an hour. Such measures have been taken to combat gambling addiction.