Half of Young Men in Belgium Gamble at Illegal Online Casinos
A recent study by the industry association BAGO has revealed that half of Belgian men aged 18 to 21 gamble on illegal online casino platforms, spiking concerns in the country. The study also reveals that this trend was already widespread before the legal gambling age was raised to 21, raising alarms amongst industry regulators and experts.
On 1 September 2024, Belgium increased the minimum age for online gambling from 18 to 21, further solidifying its reputation as one of the most tightly regulated gambling markets in the European Union under the oversight of the Belgian Gaming Commission (KSC).
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Illegal Casinos Dominate Brand Recognition
The study shows that, even before the recent age restriction came into effect, half of young men aged 18 to 21 had already been active on illegal gambling platforms. When asked to name a gambling brand that comes to mind, 29% of respondents cited an illegal casino — a figure much higher than the 4% seen across the broader participant group. When prompted to list additional gambling brands, this percentage rose to 59%, highlighting the significant reach of unlicensed operators.
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Unlicensed Gambling Sites Entice Players With Bonuses
The findings also reveal that 85% of young men could identify unlicensed gambling platforms from a list of brands, compared to just 15% for licensed operators. Social media plays a major role in driving traffic to illegal sites, with a third of respondents discovering these platforms through online channels.
BAGO Chairperson Tom Declercq has called for more robust measures to curb the spread of illegal gambling:
“Young people are finding it increasingly easy to access illegal gambling sites, which draw them in with tempting bonuses but also put their privacy and personal security at risk. These platforms not only increase the likelihood of gambling addiction but also undermine trust in a safe and regulated market. BAGO is urging the government to ramp up awareness campaigns, adopt evidence-based gambling policies, and implement stricter measures to cut off financial flows to illegal operators.”
Tom de Clercq, BAGO
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Belgium’s Uphill Battle Against Illegal Operators
Belgium’s crackdown on illegal online casinos has been fraught with challenges, with little progress so far. A study conducted earlier in September revealed that more than 50% of all online gambling traffic in Belgium goes to illegal platforms, with Stake ranking as the most visited unlicensed casino. This online casino accepts crypto and is known as one of the world’s most popular casino websites, even in countries where it lacks a valid gambling licence.
In an effort to step up enforcement, Belgium recently introduced a process allowing stakeholders to file unilateral requests to halt the operations of illegal gambling websites. In addition to the raised age restriction, Belgium has also banned all forms of casino bonuses.
Since 1 March 2020, offering bonuses to players has been completely prohibited in Belgium. The European country also maintains a blacklist of blocked gambling websites to combat illegal operators. This list targets unlicensed platforms that fail to comply with the country’s strict gambling regulations. By blocking access to these sites, the government aims to protect players whilst steering them toward regulated alternatives.
The strict measures have sparked debate within the country, with industry experts noting the exact opposite effect as Belgian players are increasingly turning to international sites to try their luck.
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