Should casino losses be limited?

Limiting gambling losses is an idea that is increasingly being advocated in European countries. But what exactly are we talking about?

The concept of a ‘loss limit’ is based on a simple principle: to prevent a player from losing more than a certain amount, over a defined period, be it an hour, a day, a week or a month. Unlike deposit limits, which prevent players from putting too much money into their account, loss limits are based on the balance actually lost, i.e. the difference between the money wagered and the money won.

This mechanism makes it possible to intervene more directly in risky gambling behaviour, by putting the brakes on a spiral often described as “uncontrollable” by pathological gamblers. The aim: to reduce financial losses and limit the psychological damage caused by compulsive gambling.

What is the loss limit at the casino in Belgium?

Contrary to what you might think, Belgium does not impose a personalised loss limit for each player. So there is no individual ceiling that blocks a player after a certain amount has been lost.

The current system is based on an average hourly loss limit imposed on operators of physical games of chance. This means that operators must ensure that players’ average loss per hour remains below a certain threshold: 

• €12.5 for bingo,
• €34 for a machine in an amusement arcade, and
• €102 for casino games.

In other words, it is not the player who is blocked directly when he loses a certain sum, but the operator who is forced to calibrate his offers, his bets and his algorithms so as not to exceed these averages for all active players.

There is as yet no loss limit for online casino games.

What is the deposit limit at the casino in Belgium?

There is, however, an individual weekly deposit limit for online casino games. Since 20 October 2022, players have not been able to deposit more than €200 per week and per platform, unless they specifically request it and submit a credit check to the National Bank of Belgium. However, players can lower this limit at any time if they wish.

Different approaches elsewhere in Europe

France: measures still limited

In France, regulation is currently based on customisable limits:

• Deposit limit: Maximum amount you can deposit over 7 days.
• Wagering limit: Weekly limit on the total amount you can bet on all games combined.
• Time limit (poker only): Maximum effective playing time to be set for each week.

These limits can be set at any time in your player area. An increase in the limits takes effect after 48 hours, but a decrease takes effect immediately.

However, the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) is considering going further. Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, President of the ANJ:

“Another measure we would like to introduce is a loss limit for players aged 18 to 24. These players are particularly vulnerable to gambling addiction. Imposing a deposit limit on them would be a start, but I’m convinced that a loss limit would be more effective.”

Netherlands: strict deposit limits, especially for young people

Since 2024, the Netherlands has strengthened its responsible gambling policy. Online gaming operators must implement these default deposit limits:

• €350/month for players aged 25 and over.
• €150/month for players aged 24 and under.

To exceed these limits, the player must contact the operator directly, who will have to carry out an enhanced check.

These thresholds are designed to protect young adults, who are particularly vulnerable to the risk of addiction.

Sweden: a pioneering model

Since 2019, Sweden has imposed a mandatory monthly deposit limit, set by default at SEK 4,000 (around €360). Although this is a deposit limit and not a loss limit, the approach aims to restrict prolonged gambling behaviour, particularly for vulnerable players.

The Swedish regulator, Spelinspektionen, also relies on behavioural alerts and a central database called Spelpaus, which allows citizens to self-exclude themselves from all authorised sites.

Germany: strict but targeted control

In Germany, a 2021 federal law on online gambling (GlüNeuRStV) imposes a monthly deposit limit of €1,000, across all operators. Here again, the aim is to limit the amount of money entering the system rather than direct losses, but the principle remains similar.