Study: how minors get round the rules
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15 Apr 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
A recent study by the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) reveals that whilst legal platforms appear generally effective at preventing minors from gambling online, minors continue to access gambling, mainly via illegal channels.
A legal system deemed generally reliable
Over several months, the Ksa conducted an in-depth investigation to understand how minors were able to access platforms that are otherwise strictly regulated. The study concludes that it is almost impossible for a minor to gamble on a legal online platform. Registration procedures, combined with rigorous identity and bank account verification systems, appear to be fulfilling their purpose.
For the authorities, this is an important confirmation: the current regulatory framework effectively protects the most vulnerable users, at least within the legal market.
In rare cases, minors have been able to access gambling services by using third-party accounts. These are mainly situations where a young person uses the account of a parent, family member or adult friend. In other, more technical cases, matches between identical initials have allowed a bank account to be linked to a profile that did not exactly match its owner. These situations remain extremely rare.
The operators themselves acknowledge having faced these scenarios without immediately having solutions at their disposal. However, improvements are now underway. The authority also plans to engage with industry stakeholders to harmonise practices and further strengthen existing measures.
Michel Groothuizen, Chair of the Ksa:
“The Ksa is very concerned about gambling among minors. Fortunately, it appears that this phenomenon is very rare among licence holders, but we nevertheless have clear indications that it does indeed exist.”
The illegal market: a real blind spot
According to the study, minors who manage to gamble online do so mainly via illegal platforms. Unlike licensed operators, these sites are not subject to strict obligations regarding age verification, payment controls and player protection.
According to the study, minors who manage to gamble online do so predominantly via illegal platforms. Unlike licensed operators, these sites are not subject to strict requirements regarding age verification, payment controls and player protection.
Previous studies by the KVA have shown that minors can easily make deposits on these sites, sometimes even via bank accounts intended for young people. Other research has highlighted marketing strategies directly targeting teenagers. Promotional campaigns, such as back-to-school promotions, have been used to attract an audience that is actually barred from accessing these services.
“Illegal providers often apply non-existent or very lax standards regarding age verification and advertising specifically targeting this young audience, for example via TikTok.”
Stepping up the fight against illegal gambling
In light of these findings, the authorities are calling for intensified efforts against illegal platforms.
Current measures remain difficult to implement in a constantly evolving digital environment. The challenge is all the greater as these platforms are able to adapt quickly. They change their addresses, use intermediaries or exploit legal grey areas to continue their activities.
The fight against underage gambling cannot be limited to tightening controls on legal platforms. It must include coordinated action against illegal gambling, as well as an ambitious prevention policy.
The situation in Belgium
Despite a strengthened legal framework, young Belgians continue to gamble on a massive scale. Since 2024, the minimum age for accessing gambling has been set at 21, but nearly 39% of 18–20-year-olds report having gambled despite this ban.
Digital technology plays a central role in this phenomenon. Young people have easy access to online platforms, where the distinction between legal and illegal sites remains unclear. Around one in five young people admit to having gambled on illegal sites, drawn by unregulated access and more aggressive offers.
This situation undermines regulation. As rules for legal operators are tightened, some young people are turning to clandestine alternatives, which offer no protection or age verification.