Gambling Laws in Belgium

There's a long history of gambling in Belgium, with archaeological discoveries suggesting that the activity dates back to the 1300s. The country is an interesting one, being the seat of the European Union, but how does that affect the gambling laws?

Belgium: Which Gambling Activites Are Legal?

Although gambling has been legal since 1851, it was only officially regulated in 1999. This was when the Belgian Gambling Act came into force. Online gambling was later regulated until 2011.

The legal situation in Belgium is pretty straightforward, with most types of gambling being legal as long they are under licence. However, there are a few caveats.

Betting in Land-Based and Online Casinos

Land-based casinos are legal as long as the operator holds a valid licence issued by the Belgian Gaming Commission. There is a limit of 9 licences that can be issued, all of which have already been awarded. In addition, there are around 180 amusement arcades (slot halls) dotted throughout the country.

Online casino gambling is legal but only under licence, and operators must also have land-based operations in the country. However, the limit of 9 licences makes obtaining one almost impossible for new casino sites. Some brands have found their way around the situation by partnering with existing venues.

There are steep fines for those offering online betting in Belgium without a licence. The government geo blocks these platforms and players can also be fined for using unlicensed sites.

Poker Gambling

Playing poker with cash is legal and available in most of the land-based casinos. However, the number of offline tournaments in the country is limited by law. 

Online poker is also legal and only permitted at the licensed online casinos. Again, operators must have a physical presence in the country.

Playing Bingo With Real Money

While offline and online bingo are legal in Belgium the game is not very popular. Only 2 of the nine casinos in the country offer cash games. The regulatory situation is the same as poker and casino games and the operator must hold the appropriate license. None of the current license holders offer online bingo gambling though.

Purchasing Lottery Tickets

The Loterie National Belgique offers its lotto services under monopoly control. While you can legally play online lottery games for real money in the country, this is only permitted via the Belgian National Lottery website.

Social Gambling and Online Crypto Casinos

Social casinos are not specifically mentioned in Belgium's gambling regulations. However, loot boxes were made illegal in 2018 with only licensed operators allowed to offer them. Loot boxes were classed as a form of gambling because a purchase was required. This would suggest that the ability to buy 'play chips' at social casinos is also a form of gambling.

Belgium does not recognise cryptocurrencies as legal tender. So neither land-based nor online operators are allowed to accept virtual coins as a payment method. However, players still find it relatively easy to access crypto casinos offered by foreign operators - even though this is illegal.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Belgium?

Yes, and both offline and online operators are required to obtain the relevant licences. Hundreds of betting shops are scattered throughout Belgium, with football being the most popular sport to bet. SCOOORE is the country's biggest online bookmaker, run by Belgium's national lottery. Fantasy sports betting is also legal in Belgium.

What's the Minimum Age for Gambling in Belgium?

Residents must be 18+ and those who want to enter a land-based casino must be at least 21.

Belgian Gambling Tax Regulations

Operators offering services to Belgian citizens are subject to a 15% tax on gross gambling revenue. The region of Wallonia is an exception which benefits from a reduced tax rate of 11%.

For players, the tax regulations mean that winnings from the country's various gambling activities can be tax-free.

A Brief History of Belgian Gambling Laws

Archaeological findings suggest that gambling was present in the region of modern-day Belgium as far back as the 1300s. Whilst lottery gaming in the country dates back to the 15th century.

Since Belgium's independence from the Netherlands in 1830, gambling was only officially addressed in 1851, with the legalisation of lotteries made via the Lotteries Act.

Belgium then became rife with underhanded gambling activities and scandals. The government at the time moved to make an outright ban on all types between 1872 and 1902.

The 1999 Gambling Act also banned any form of gambling not specifically mentioned in current legislation, with only those obtaining a licence permitted to operate.

In 2011 regulations in the country were updated to make online betting in Belgium legal, but only via licensed operators.

Key Facts

• Online and land-based casino gambling is legal. Operators offering games, online casino slots, poker or bingo must be licensed and have a physical presence in the country or be partnered with an existing licensed operator.

• Both online and offline lottery gaming is legal though offered by a monopoly controlled by Belgium's national lottery.

• Sports betting is legal. Hundreds of bookmaker shops exist in Belgium, and online sports betting is predominantly covered by SCOOORE, which is run by the national lottery.