BAGO warns of a slump in legal gambling
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2 Apr 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
The 2024 report from the Gaming Commission reveals a decline in the legal market. BAGO sees this as a warning sign in the face of the rise of illegal websites and is calling for swift action.
‘The statistics speak for themselves’
The BAGO association, which represents legal operators in the sector, welcomes the transparency of the figures in the GC’s 2024 financial report. However, it sees this primarily as confirmation of a worrying trend it has been highlighting for several months: the legal gambling market is in decline.
According to 2024 data, overall activity has fallen by nearly 5%. This decline affects both physical establishments and online platforms. For BAGO, this decline signals a growing imbalance in Belgium’s gambling ecosystem. The association highlights a phenomenon it considers particularly alarming: the shift of players towards illegal sites.
‘The statistics speak for themselves,’ it emphasises.
Of the 25 most-visited gambling sites in Belgium, 64% do not hold an official licence. A proportion which, according to BAGO, illustrates the scale of the problem. The channelling policy, intended to direct players towards a secure legal offering, is no longer fulfilling its role.
A structural flaw in the Belgian model
Throughout its analysis, BAGO highlights a structural flaw in current policy.
The principle of channelling relies on a delicate balance: providing a legal offering that is attractive enough to divert players away from illegal channels. When the regulated offering becomes less competitive, the risk is immediate. Players migrate to more accessible alternatives, which are often more visible online but lack any form of protection.
This trend is of particular concern to BAGO. It affects not only the turnover of legal operators, but also the safety of players.
A cautious approach to interpreting the data
Despite its critical tone, BAGO nevertheless calls for a nuanced reading of the figures. The association points out that the data analysed relates to the year 2024. However, several major reforms, notably those resulting from the Van Hecke Act, only came into force on 1 September 2024. Their actual impact is therefore not yet fully reflected in the statistics.
BAGO is already looking ahead to the next publications. The 2025 figures will, in its view, be decisive in assessing the effectiveness of recent measures.
BAGO’s priorities
In light of these findings, BAGO does not merely raise the alarm. It also puts forward concrete proposals. At the heart of its recommendations is a call to strengthen the Gaming Commission. The association stresses the need to equip it with the means to take effective action against illegal operators.
But for BAGO, the response cannot be purely repressive. The association also advocates for a thorough modernisation of the legislation. The gambling sector is evolving rapidly, particularly as a result of digitalisation. Outdated regulations risk penalising legal operators.
A call for a ‘balanced and forward-looking’ framework
For BAGO, the future of the sector depends on a renewed regulatory framework.
‘Only a balanced and forward-looking regulatory framework will ultimately guarantee a safe, controlled and sustainable gambling market in Belgium,’ the association states.