Belgium Casino Guide
Getting Started
Belgium has had an up-and-down affair with gambling (at least online gambling). Gambling has been legal for almost 175 years in the tiny European country, but the laws have undergone numerous changes in that time. What do Belgians who want to gamble legally need to know? Our team has poured over the Belgian gambling laws and come up with the answers.
Belgium has several legal ways to gamble in land-based countries and has also adopted online gambling laws which legalise betting at specific types of casinos and sportsbooks. We’ll look at these in turn and explain all to you right here.
Belgium’s Gambling Laws and Regulations
Firstly, let’s look at Belgium’s 1999 Gambling Act. It states that Belgians must be aged 18 to gamble, rising to 21 to enter a casino. This piece of legislation (which has been amended several times) makes it clear that each type of gambling game or option is different from the rest and is subject to different rules.
License A (Class 1) is awarded to casinos, License B (Class 2) is awarded to amusement arcades, while licenses C and D (Class 3) are required to offer gambling in cafes or bingo halls that sell alcohol, and employees at gambling establishments. License E (Class 3) covers the sale, rent and production of games, while License F1, F2, F+, F1 and G2 (Class 4) cover the organisers of bets, sportsbooks, games of chance (via television) and games of chance (excluding the internet).
Online gambling has been legal in Belgium since 2011. However, there are caveats to this. Prior to 2011, Belgium did not block gambling sites, and the industry was unregulated. After the country legalised internet betting, the Belgian authorities have relentlessly blocked any sites they come across that haven’t obtained a nationally issued gambling license.
Who Regulates and Licenses Belgian Casino Sites?
The Belgian licensing authority (Belgian Gaming Commission) strictly regulates the internet betting industry. For starters, you can only use debit cards to deposit (not credit cards). Secondly, there is a limit of €500 per week in place. Finally, all Belgian licensing sites must promote responsible gambling, have adequate tools to protect players, and display the “gamble in moderation” slogan in either French, Flemish or both languages on their pages.
The way that Belgium regulates its online gambling industry is strict. By actively banning and demanding ISPs block access to all foreign sites (any non-Belgian licensed gambling site), the country that is at the heart of the EU is breaking EU law and causing plenty of controversy while doing so. While in other countries, foreign operators have managed to take countries to court (and win) when they break EU law, the Belgian courts refuse to listen, consistently finding in favour of the Belgian government.
Belgian only issues 180 casino/arcade licenses and 43 bookmaker licenses. These are all filled. The only way foreign sites can get into the Belgian market is by affiliating and partnering with an already existing Belgian enterprise.
Finding offshore casinos to play at is tricky in Belgian. The Belgian authorities instruct their ISPs (in coordination with the Belgian police) to block access to any foreign sites they see. As such, most of those to escape the ban are relatively unknown (possibly unsafe). VPN usage isn’t normally tolerated at bigger, top-tier operators. There is no penalty in place for Belgians who manage to get around such blocks and play at offshore casinos, though.
Belgium’s Most Popular Gambling Games
Belgians love to wager on all manner of games. However, arguably the most bizarre of games that is popular in the tiny European country are dice slots. These have a unique gaming structure that ensures that they are treated differently from conventional slot machines. Slots aren’t as popular as you might imagine, with many Belgians favouring table games. Sports betting is a huge business in the country, while many Belgians also like betting on horses. The Euro Millions is the most favoured lottery in the country.
There are plenty of Belgian providers of land-based games, but very few of these have come to the forefront when it comes to online gambling. You can find a few notable exceptions, like Supergame. However, Belgian-licensed sites aren’t required to feature software from local developers, so many opt to obtain their games from open gaming platforms like SoftSwiss, and feature games from many of today’s most recognisable top-tier developers.
Who Can Play?
Belgian casinos aren’t under any sort of command to only accept Belgian players. In theory, anybody can sign up and play at them. However, they will likely need Belgian credentials when it comes to verifying their account (the KYC process), and that could be a problem.
While Belgians can play at offshore casinos targeting them, there aren’t many of these around. The authorities tend to block access to them rapidly when they are found. Even international casinos that don’t specifically target players from Belgium struggle to make it through the ban, so many of these sites will actively prevent Belgians from signing up at their sites.
Online Casino Payment Options
Online casinos in Belgium offer a range of payment methods for their players, catering to their unique preferences and needs. The most common payment methods exclusive to Belgian players are divided into several categories, as detailed below:
Credit / Debit Cards:
- Bancontact / Mister Cash: Bancontact is the most popular debit card payment system in Belgium. It allows players to make safe and secure payments to online casinos directly from their bank account. Transactions are processed instantly, and users benefit from the added security of a two-step authentication process.
E-Wallets:
- HiPay Wallet: HiPay Wallet is a popular e-wallet solution in Belgium. It allows users to create an account, link it to their bank account or credit/debit card, and make secure online transactions without sharing their financial details with the casino.
Prepaid Cards / Vouchers:
- PaySafeCard: PaySafeCard is a prepaid voucher system that allows users to purchase vouchers in various denominations and use them to deposit funds into their online casino account. This payment method is popular due to its anonymity and ease of use.
Bank Transfers:
- ING Home’Pay: ING Home’Pay is a secure online payment method exclusive to ING Belgium customers. It allows players to make direct transfers from their bank account to an online casino without the need for a credit or debit card. The transactions are processed securely, and funds are typically transferred within a few minutes.
Mobile Payments:
- Proximus: Proximus is a leading mobile network operator in Belgium that offers a mobile payment solution for online casino deposits. This payment method enables players to make deposits directly from their mobile phone bill or prepaid balance, offering a convenient and secure option.
Cryptocurrencies:
- Bitcoin (BTC): Many online casinos in Belgium accept Bitcoin as a payment method. Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that provides fast, secure, and anonymous transactions. To use Bitcoin, players need a digital wallet to store their cryptocurrency and a casino that accepts Bitcoin deposits.
- Ethereum (ETH): Ethereum is another popular cryptocurrency accepted by some online casinos in Belgium. Similar to Bitcoin, Ethereum transactions are secure, fast, and anonymous. Players need an Ethereum wallet and a casino that accepts Ethereum deposits to use this method.
These payment methods are widely accepted by online casinos in Belgium and are not restricted. They offer Belgian players a variety of options to choose from, ensuring secure, fast, and convenient transactions.
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F.A.Q's
1. Is online gambling legal in Belgium?
Yes, online gambling is legal in Belgium. The Belgian Gambling Commission oversees and regulates the industry, ensuring that both online and land-based casinos adhere to strict licensing and regulatory requirements. For more information about licensing and regulation, visit our Licensing and Regulation guide.
2. What payment methods are available for Belgian players?
Belgian players have access to a variety of secure payment methods for depositing and withdrawing funds at online casinos. Popular options include credit and debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and prepaid cards. To learn more about these options, check out our Payment Methods page.
3. Can I play online casino games in Dutch, French, or German?
Yes, many online casinos offer their services in Dutch, French, and German, the three official languages of Belgium. Be sure to choose a casino that supports your preferred language for the best user experience. For more information on casino games, visit our Online Casino Games page.
4. Are Belgian players eligible for casino bonuses?
Yes, Belgian players can take advantage of various casino bonuses and promotions, such as welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, and loyalty programs. Keep in mind that each casino has its own terms and conditions, so be sure to read them carefully. For more details about bonuses, visit our Bonuses and Loyalty Programs guide.
5. Are winnings from online gambling taxable in Belgium?
Winnings from online gambling are generally tax-free in Belgium. However, professional gamblers may be subject to taxation. We recommend consulting a tax professional for specific advice on your individual circumstances.
6. Is it safe to gamble online in Belgium?
As long as you choose a licensed and regulated online casino, your gambling experience should be safe and secure. For more information on safety and security measures, visit our Safety and Security guide.
7. Can I play live dealer games in Belgium?
Yes, many online casinos offer live dealer games for Belgian players. These games provide an immersive and interactive experience, as you can interact with real dealers and other players in real-time. To learn more about live dealer games, visit our Live Dealers page.
8. Are there any responsible gambling resources available for Belgian players?
Yes, there are various resources and organizations available to help Belgian players practice responsible gambling. For more information and support, visit our Responsible Gambling Advocacy guide.
9. How can I ensure fair gaming at online casinos?
To ensure fair gaming, choose an online casino that is licensed and regulated by the Belgian Gambling Commission. Licensed casinos must adhere to strict standards of fairness and transparency. Additionally, reputable casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure fair play. For more information on fairness and transparency, visit our Mastering Online Gambling guide.
10. Are there any restrictions on online gambling for Belgian players?
Belgian players must be at least 21 years old to participate in online gambling. Additionally, licensed online casinos in Belgium may only offer their services to Belgian residents. Ensure that you are aware of any restrictions and requirements before signing up for an online casino account.