A new promotional bonus offered by online operator Casino Elite is currently raising questions in Belgium. In order to obtain a clear answer, our editorial team contacted the Gaming Commission (GC) directly.
An attractive offer in a highly regulated market
Casino Elite recently launched a simple welcome offer: users who create an account using the itsme identification system immediately receive five euros credited to their player account. A second reward of the same amount is then granted after a minimum initial deposit of ten euros.
On paper, the offer seems innocuous. But Belgium does not operate like other European markets.
Belgian gambling regulations are based on a central principle: limiting any form of direct incentive to gamble. According to Belgian gambling legislation, licensed operators are not allowed to offer financial promotional bonuses to encourage participation in games. This prohibition applies in particular to sign-up bonuses, free credits or monetary benefits linked to a deposit.
Our approach to the Gaming Commission
In order to verify the compliance of this practice, our editorial team sent an official report to the Gaming Commission detailing the precise functioning of the bonus offered. A few days later, the GC sent us a written response confirming that the case had been taken into consideration:
We acknowledge receipt of your letter regarding the offer proposed by the operator Casino Elite, consisting of the granting of €5 upon registration via itsme.
This offer will be analysed by the Control Unit. If this unit finds that a violation of gambling legislation has been committed, a report will be drawn up and forwarded to the Sanctions Unit, which will decide, if necessary, to initiate sanction proceedings against the operator concerned.
At this stage, we would like to inform you that the Gaming Commission has not yet taken an official position on the compliance of this type of offer mechanism with gambling legislation.
The official response received confirms that an internal process is underway. The penalties provided for by Belgian regulations can range from a formal warning to significant administrative fines, or even measures affecting the operating licence. However, no conclusion has been announced at this stage.