Brut reveals how self-exclusion protects an excessive gambler

Alex

• 9 Jan 2026 • Reading time: 3 minutes

By broadcasting the testimonial of a problem gambler who opted for a self-exclusion on gambling in partnership with the National Gaming Authority (ANJ), Brut has shed light on a reality that is still too often kept quiet.

A candid account of addiction

The strength of the testimony broadcast by Brut lies in its sobriety. Bilel, a former gambling addict, recounts his journey and his difficulties. His story, relayed by ANJ, shows what many gamblers experience when faced with an addiction: the loss of control, the shame, the loneliness, and above all the difficulty of asking for help.

Bilel’s addiction begins with a few big wins in physical casinos, which he visits more and more frequently. The shame of often running into acquaintances at the casino prompted him to start online sports betting, which was more discreet because it was hidden on his phone. It was after losing his entire salary in one night that he realised the seriousness of his situation and decided to ban himself from gambling. It’s been 3 years since he last gambled, and he can now unsubscribe from the self-exclusion register, but he has decided to stay on it.

@brutofficiel
“Ça m’a touché, parce que je me suis dit : j’ai grandi avec le sport, avec le foot et au final, aujourd’hui, en fait, je ne prends même plus de plaisir à regarder.” Bilel est un ancien addict aux jeux d’argent. Casino, paris sportifs… C’est en perdant tout son salaire en une soirée qu’il a vraiment pris conscience de son problème et décidé de réagir pour combattre son addiction. Il a découvert l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux, qui permet aux joueurs de se protéger en s’interdisant l’accès aux casinos et aux sites de jeux en ligne. Il raconte. En partenariat avec l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux
♬ son original – Brut. – Brut.

Gambling self-exclusion, a protective measure

Gambling self-exclusion is a key prevention and protection tool. It allows players to distance themselves from gambling by registering on their own initiative in a dedicated file. This choice often marks a turning point. In the account relayed by Brut, it is presented as a difficult but necessary decision, a first step towards reconstruction.

The figures provided by the ANJ show a growing awareness. Today, 88,000 people are on the self-exclusion register, an increase of 25% over the last two years. This increase reflects both the scale of gambling addiction and greater awareness of the system.

This trend is not uniform throughout the year. The ANJ notes that January sees the highest number of registration requests, in the wake of good resolutions, when some gamblers decide to regain control after periods sometimes marked by excesses.

Despite the harshness of the story, the account relayed by Brut also carries a message of hope. The decision to self-exclude from gambling is presented as an act of protection, a return to control over a practice that has become pervasive. The ANJ sees this approach as a concrete way of supporting problem gamblers.

How do you exclude yourself from gambling in Belgium?

For several years now, Belgium has had a centralised exclusion system for gamblers, known as EPIS (Excluded Persons Information System). This national database lists all people banned from gambling in Belgium.

Anyone who feels they have lost control of their gambling can request to be excluded. This ban is not limited to physical gambling. It also extends to digital platforms, which considerably strengthens its effectiveness. Exclusion may also be imposed following a judicial or administrative decision.

Certain job categories are automatically banned from gambling, without having to do so voluntarily. This is the case for magistrates, bailiffs and police officers, for example. This measure is designed to prevent conflicts of interest.

To ban yourself from gambling, simply visit the Gaming Commission website and fill in an electronic form. The site also contains useful resources for people with gambling problems.