BAGO not happy with Knack article about gambling advertising
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18 Oct 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes The Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO) is not happy with an article that appeared on the Knack website yesterday. The article, entitled “Children aged five recognise gambling logos”, discusses gambling advertising at sporting events. But according to BAGO, there is one major problem with the article: it does not make a clear distinction between legal and illegal gambling operators. And that really stings them.
BAGO wants to make it clear: legal gambling companies adhere to the rules
BAGO would like to set the record straight. They represent the legal gambling companies in Belgium, and according to them, they strictly adhere to the law. They follow the rules regarding the advertising ban meticulously. But the gambling advertisements that you see everywhere these days? According to BAGO, they do not come from them, but from illegal gambling sites that do not care about the rules.
And that frustrates them. Because while the legal companies do everything they can to adhere to the law, the illegal parties continue to advertise extensively. “The problem is that illegal providers are gaining more and more ground in Belgium,” they say. And according to them, that is not without danger.
60% of the Belgian gambling market is illegal
BAGO is sounding the alarm. Figures show that around 60% of the Belgian gambling market is in the hands of illegal providers. These gambling sites do everything that is prohibited: they advertise en masse on social media, without any restrictions, and mainly target young people. The result? More and more people are drawn to these dangerous platforms, while the legal providers comply with the rules.
BAGO members take their responsibility seriously. They know how important it is to protect their customers. That is why they carefully monitor the gaming behavior of their customers and intervene when necessary. With illegal gambling sites, that care is completely absent, and that is what makes them so dangerous according to BAGO.
BAGO wants a tougher approach to illegal gambling sites
BAGO is fed up and is calling for action. They want stricter controls on illegal gambling sites that ignore the legislation. According to them, the Belgian Gaming Commission should be given more resources to tackle these violations. Only then can the gambling market in Belgium become safe for players again.
The situation is clearly bothering BAGO. They want more attention to be paid to the difference between legal and illegal providers. Because while they do their best to color within the lines, the illegal parties ensure that the entire sector is put in a bad light.