By directly attacking the digital infrastructure that allows illegal platforms to thrive, the Gaming Commission and DNS Belgium have taken a major step forward. Their cooperation agreement marks a turning point in the fight against fraudulent sites abusing the .be domain name.
A strategic alliance against illegal gambling
The Gaming Commission, the public authority responsible for regulating the sector in Belgium, has formalised a cooperation agreement with DNS Belgium, the organisation responsible for managing .be domain names. Behind this announcement lies a clear strategy: to make it more difficult for illegal gambling sites to exist, using the Belgian digital identity to gain credibility.
These unauthorised platforms often use national domain names to inspire confidence among Internet users. In Belgium, the .be extension is perceived as a guarantee of proximity and reliability. By hijacking it, some illegal operators are blurring players’ bearings and circumventing the strict rules imposed by national legislation.
Cooperation for faster detection
Until now, the fight against illegal sites has been based mainly on investigations, reports and sometimes lengthy procedures. What is new about this agreement is that it improves upstream detection. By working together, the Gaming Commission and DNS Belgium are strengthening their ability to identify suspicious domains quickly.
In particular, this cooperation will provide a better understanding of how certain operators use .be to pass themselves off as legal casinos or to exploit the reputation of authorised establishments. By identifying these practices earlier, the authorities can take action before players are exposed to financial risks or deceptive practices.
Impersonation of legal casinos targeted
One of the major problems raised as part of this cooperation concerns identity theft. Some illegal sites use names similar to those of authorised casinos, deliberately creating confusion. For a player, the difference may be imperceptible: an almost identical domain name, a professional presentation, and the illusion of a site that complies with the law.
Thanks to the exchange of information between DNS Belgium and the Gaming Commission, these practices can be detected more effectively. When a case of usurpation is identified, measures can be taken to prevent the site from continuing to exploit the .be extension unduly.
An ongoing collaboration
The Gaming Commission has publicly welcomed this collaboration, thanking DNS Belgium for its commitment. Behind these words lies a shared desire to make this cooperation a long-term one. The fight against illegal gambling is an ongoing challenge, which evolves in step with new technologies and the strategies of fraudulent operators.
By working together, the two institutions are equipping themselves with more appropriate tools to respond to these developments. The agreement is not an end in itself, but a framework for coordinated and effective action.
This initiative goes beyond the gambling sector. It illustrates a broader approach to protecting Belgium’s digital space. By tackling fraudulent use, DNS Belgium and the Gaming Commission are helping to strengthen the credibility of the Belgian Internet.