As of September 1, 2024, Belgium has officially standardised the minimum age for all forms of gambling at 21. This new regulation aligns the age requirement for sports betting, bingo, and arcades with that of land-based casinos, which have mandated players to be over 21 since 2018. This update is part of a broader set of new gambling restrictions approved in February, including a ban on gambling advertising that took effect in July last year. Additional measures include a prohibition on bonuses and free bets, as well as a weekly deposit limit of €200.
VAD, an organisation specialising in alcohol, drugs, and gambling addiction, has endorsed the increase in the age limit as a “cost-effective” strategy to reduce gambling-related harm among younger individuals. However, some gambling operators express concerns that these stricter regulations may drive players towards unlicensed gambling alternatives.
In 2023, Belgium’s gambling sector experienced a significant boost, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) reaching €1.7 billion, a 16.7% increase from the previous year. Online GGR surged by 18% to €944.6 million, while offline GGR grew by 15.2% to €758 million.
Also, starting September 1, 2024, the UK has introduced new stake limits for online slot machines as part of broader gambling reforms outlined in last year’s gambling white paper. The maximum stake per spin on online slots is now capped at £5 for players aged 25 and over, and £2 for those under 25. This aligns with the stake cap imposed on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in retail settings since 2019. Previously, online slots did not have stake limits, although some operators had voluntarily reduced maximum stakes.
Online slots contributed £3.2 billion to the industry’s revenue last year, out of a total casino revenue of £4 billion. The new stake limits are designed to address concerns about the elevated rates of problem gambling associated with online slots compared to other gambling types.
Additionally, the Gambling Commission has launched a pilot program for financial risk assessments in online gambling. Commencing last Friday, this pilot will implement “light touch” checks on customer accounts with deposits exceeding £500 per month. This trial is part of a four-stage plan to enhance consumer protection in the online gambling sector.
