Jupiler Pro League: strong action against dangerous gambling
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7 Oct 2025 •
Reading time: 4 minutes Belgian football is mobilising to prevent gambling addiction and combat match-fixing. The Pro League, RBFA and BAGO have launched a series of educational sessions, called Integrity Sessions, designed to raise awareness among players, staff and clubs.
An unprecedented alliance to protect players
Belgian football is taking a new step in its fight against the dangers of gambling and match-fixing. The Pro League, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) and the Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO) have joined forces to raise awareness among players, staff and employees of professional clubs. Called Integrity Sessions, the initiative aims to educate and prevent the risks associated with gambling addiction and to strengthen sporting integrity.
“We have long been one of the Gaming Commission’s main partners, and this year we are once again organising this awareness-raising tour of our clubs with BAGO and the RBFA, focusing on young players and sporting integrity. In addition to the RBFA’s presentation on integrity in sport, we also attach great importance to testimonials. We are therefore delighted to welcome Glenn Helder, a former Arsenal and Dutch national team player, who will be sharing his story about the impact of uncontrolled play with our players and staff. With initiatives like this, we continue to work alongside the Gaming Commission and the industry to promote responsible gambling,” explains Pro League spokesperson Stijn Van Bever.
The sessions took place directly in the clubs, allowing for open and personalised exchanges. Participants were able to discover the issues involved in responsible gambling through interactive workshops and the striking testimony of Glenn Helder, former Dutch international and Arsenal player, who shared his experience of the dangers of uncontrolled gambling.
“We know that young gamblers can be vulnerable to gambling addiction and outside influences. That’s precisely why we want not only to warn, but also to be there where it counts. By engaging in dialogue, we can help prevent problems before they arise,” says Tom De Clercq, Chairman of BAGO.
The three pillars of the Integrity Sessions
The workshops offered at these sessions focus on three main areas. Firstly, awareness of the risks of gambling addiction: a problem that is often underestimated but that particularly affects vulnerable young gamblers. Secondly, detecting signs of match-fixing, a crucial issue for maintaining the fairness and reputation of Belgian football. Finally, knowledge of the legal framework, essential for understanding what is permitted and what is prohibited in the world of sports betting.
“Four million Belgians are fans of our football. We also consciously use the visibility that our sport generates to convey lasting messages. One of these messages, which we have been promoting for years, is a responsible approach to gambling and betting,” explains Stijn Van Bever.
A structured and targeted approach
Unlike a general campaign, the Integrity Sessions have been designed to be directly relevant to each club. The small-group sessions encourage discussion and allow participants to ask concrete questions about situations they might encounter. The aim is clear: to break the taboo around addiction and raise awareness proactively, before incidents occur.
BAGO, which brings together the main licensed gaming operators in Belgium, plays a central role in this approach. The association ensures that gamblers are directed towards legal and responsible gambling offers, whether in casinos, automatic gaming rooms or online betting offices. Collaboration with the Pro League and the RBFA enables us to reach a targeted audience that is often young and particularly exposed to risk.
Glenn Helder‘s speech was one of the highlights of the sessions. His story, marked by sporting success but also by the difficulties associated with gambling, provides a concrete illustration of the consequences of addiction. By sharing his story, Helder makes the problem tangible and shows that even professional athletes are not immune.
“It all started with a few occasional bets, but very soon I was spending my days in gambling halls. The debts were piling up and I couldn’t concentrate on the game any more. I wasn’t myself any more. After that episode, I didn’t want to run away any more. Today, I want to use my story to help others, so that no one makes the same mistakes again,” explained Glenn Helder.
An exemplary initiative for sport and society
The cooperation between football and the gambling sector in Belgium can serve as a model for other countries and disciplines. By combining prevention, education and personal testimonies, the Pro League and its partners are demonstrating that it is possible to reconcile sporting passion with social responsibility.