550 sites reached: another step towards secure online gaming
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27 Nov 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes The Gaming Commission has just reached an important milestone in its fight against illegal gambling. With the addition of 15 new sites to its blacklist, 564 platforms are now blocked. This figure exceeds the symbolic threshold of 550 sites, marking a significant step forward in the regulation of this complex sector.
This increased vigilance reflects a clear desire: to reduce as much as possible access to illegal sites that exploit the vulnerability of users and evade Belgian laws.
Constant fight for player protection
The Gaming Commission implements various strategies to regulate the sector. By constantly monitoring online activities, it targets platforms that operate without a license and that do not comply with legal and ethical standards.
“The fight against illegal providers targeting Belgian users remains one of my priorities.”
Magali Clavie, President of the Gambling Commission during her interview with Gambling Club
These illegal sites, often hosted abroad, attract players with promises of quick winnings but escape any control. The risks are multiple: lack of guarantees on payments, exploitation of personal data, and incitement to addiction.
The objective is twofold: to protect consumers while ensuring that legitimate operators can operate in a fair framework.
A new legal weapon to counter illegal sites
Faced with the ingenuity of illegal operators, a recent legislative amendment now offers an effective weapon to accelerate their offline taking. Article XVII.34/1 of the Code of Economic Law allows any legitimate operator to directly ask a judge to block an illegal site.
This simplified procedure allows a judge to quickly rule on the closure of an illegal site. Additional measures also prevent the return of these platforms via alternative URLs.
According to the Commission, this initiative responds to the urgent need to limit the impact of fraudulent online activities.
Online training to support legal operators
To support this new regulation, the Commission is organizing an online training on 17 December. This session, hosted in collaboration with the FPS Economy, aims to equip licensed operators.
The training will explain in detail the legal procedures and tools available to identify and report illegal activities. Accessible from a simple computer, this online session is an opportunity for operators to better understand their rights and responsibilities. Registration is open until 3 December, an initiative that should mobilize a large number of professionals.
By passing the milestone of 564 blocked sites and deploying innovative initiatives such as the training on 17 December, the Gaming Commission shows that it takes the threat of illegal gambling seriously. These efforts combined with strengthened legislation and increased awareness are shaping a safer future for players and allowing operators to work with authorities to maintain a regulated and ethical market.