The blacklist of illegal gambling sites continues to grow
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1 Feb 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes The Belgian Gaming Commission continues its fight against illegal casino gambling sites. On January 30, 2025, it updated the blacklist of illegal gambling sites, adding three new platforms and bringing the total to 584 blocked sites. The newly added platforms are:
- casinohermes.vip
- amunra1.com
- polymarket.com
Casino Hermes VIP: Back on the blacklist
The site Casino Hermes VIP (casinohermes.vip) has once again been placed on the Belgian Commission’s blacklist. This is not the first time this platform has been blocked, as it was previously banned under different domain names such as casinohermes.com. This tactic is common: some operators slightly modify their URLs to bypass restrictions and continue offering their services to Belgian players.
Polymarket: A well-known site in France under investigation
The addition of Polymarket to the Belgian blacklist comes while the platform is under investigation in France. The French National Gaming Authority (ANJ) suspects Polymarket of failing to comply with French regulations.
The case gained significant attention when a French player placed massive bets on Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential elections. His potential winnings exceed $85 million. This situation has caught the attention of authorities, who are now scrutinizing the legality of Polymarket’s activities in France.
In response, the platform temporarily blocked French users while continuing discussions with regulators.
In Belgium, the situation is clear: Polymarket does not have a license, meaning its operations are illegal in the country. Belgian players can no longer access the site.
AmunRa1: Another unauthorized site
The third site added to the blacklist is AmunRa1.com, an online gaming platform operating without authorization in Belgium. Like the others, this site lacks an official license and does not comply with the security and player protection standards set by the Belgian Gaming Commission.
How does the blacklist work in Belgium?
The Belgian Gaming Commission regularly updates its blacklist to protect players from unregulated platforms. Sites on the list do not hold an official license in Belgium, meaning they are not subject to state controls and may pose risks to users.
When the Commission identifies an illegal site, it requests internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to the site for Belgian users. These measures are designed to prevent players from depositing money and exposing themselves to fraudulent practices.
What happens if you try to access a blocked site?
When a Belgian user attempts to connect to a blacklisted site, they are usually redirected to a warning message explaining that access is prohibited under Belgian regulations.
However, some sites try to bypass these restrictions by frequently changing their URLs or offering alternative methods to access their services.
It is important to remember that playing on an illegal site in Belgium can lead to penalties, both for operators and players. In case of disputes or payment issues, players have no legal recourse, as these sites are not regulated.
Stay informed about future blacklist updates and protect your online gaming experience!