Will online gambling in Belgium soon become even stricter than it already is?
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14 Jul 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes In Belgium, the rules for online gambling are already quite strict. Advertising is increasingly restricted and the government keeps a sharp eye on things.
Yet it seems the rules could get even stricter. Politicians are talking behind the scenes about new laws that could further restrict online gambling.
In particular, they are looking at loot boxes, crypto gambling and betting on esports. These are new forms of gambling that are currently difficult to control.
Lootboxes and crypto in particular are causing a lot of concern, as young people quickly come into contact with them. The question now is whether Belgium will soon ban these things completely.
Political parties and lobby groups push for stricter rules
More and more Belgian parties want the government to intervene. They say lootboxes are actually the same as gambling.
They also fear that crypto-gambling will get completely out of hand if there are no rules. Calls for stricter rules are therefore getting louder and louder.
Several lobby groups are also heavily behind this. They want more protection for vulnerable players and stricter enforcement against illegal sites.
Some politicians even call for a complete blockade of certain forms of gambling.
Gambling industry fears big hit if new laws come
The Belgian gambling sector is watching all the plans with suspicion. Many companies fear that the new rules will hit their revenues hard.
They say there are already enough restrictions and that even more rules will only push players towards illegal gambling sites.
Yet the politicians do not seem intent on stopping. They want quick clarity and stricter rules to further crack down on gambling.
The coming months will therefore be exciting for anyone involved in online gambling in Belgium.
Why does Belgium want stricter rules for online gambling?
The government is concerned about the impact of gambling on young people and vulnerable groups. Politicians especially want to limit risks around lootboxes, crypto and esports.
What exactly are lootboxes?
Lootboxes are virtual treasure boxes in games. You pay money to open them, but you do not know in advance what you will get. Therefore, they are similar to gambling.
Why do people worry about crypto gambling?
Crypto-gambling involves players using digital coins such as Bitcoin. This is often done on unsupervised websites, which makes it extra risky.
Will Belgium really ban these new forms of gambling?
That is not yet certain, but there is a good chance that there will be stricter rules. Some politicians even want a complete ban on lootboxes and crypto-gambling.
What does the Belgian gambling sector say about this?
Gambling companies fear that strict rules will push players to illegal websites. They fear less revenue and unfair competition.
When are the new rules expected?
Politicians want to decide quickly. It is quite possible that the first measures will be announced within a few months.