BAGO advocates for tax neutrality in the gambling sector
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1 Apr 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
The Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO) is taking a stand. Faced with a tax system it considers unbalanced, it supports a reform it deems essential to preserve the legal sector and protect players.
“An essential correction” according to BAGO
For BAGO, the bill put forward by Jean-Marie Dedecker is not merely a technical adjustment. The organisation describes it as an essential correction.
At the heart of its position: the removal, in 2023, of the deductibility of regional taxes on games of chance. A measure the association deems inconsistent and punitive.
“Operators are currently taxed on a basis that does not take into account taxes already paid,” BAGO emphasises.
A tax burden deemed unsustainable
In its analysis, BAGO highlights a striking figure: the effective tax burden can reach up to 70%. A level that is economically difficult to sustain. This observation applies to the entire sector: independent operators, family businesses, betting agencies, as well as large-scale operators.
BAGO places particular emphasis on the situation of land-based casinos and gaming halls. These establishments must absorb significant fixed costs whilst facing increased taxation.
“In the long term, this pressure undermines the viability of the legal sector,” warns the association.
Protecting players
BAGO’s main argument goes beyond purely economic considerations. The association places player protection at the heart of its message. In its view, a strong legal offering is the prerequisite for an effective gambling policy.
“Only a regulated framework can ensure compliance with essential mechanisms such as EPIS checks, deposit limits, monitoring systems and prevention measures. When legal operators are weakened, players are more likely to turn to unregulated offerings,” BAGO points out.
BAGO draws on worrying data to support its argument. Today, more than one in four Belgian gamblers turns to illegal sites. A reality the association sees as a symptom of a growing imbalance. Even more worrying: sixteen of the twenty-five most visited sites in Belgium are illegal, accounting for 67% of traffic. 65% of men aged 18 to 21 have already used at least one unauthorised site.
And even existing safeguards are being circumvented. Nearly half of players registered with the EPIS self-exclusion scheme continue to gamble on illegal platforms.
An economic sector to be preserved
Beyond the issue of protection, BAGO points out that the gambling sector is a key economic pillar. In 2023, the legal Belgian market generated over €1.7 billion in gross gaming revenue. In the Flemish Region, it accounts for around 16,000 jobs.
A clear call to policy-makers
BAGO calls for support for the proposed legislation aimed at restoring the tax deductibility of regional taxes. It also calls for a strengthening of the fight against illegal operators, notably through increased resources for the Gaming Commission.
In its view, effective regulation requires both a robust legal framework and rigorous enforcement of the rules.
BAGO summarises its position around a central objective: ensuring that players are channelled towards a legal and responsible offering.