Gambling in Belgium and Australia: Which games are the most addictive?
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28 Oct 2024 •
Reading time: 4 minutes Gambling is a popular pastime in both Belgium and Australia, but the way people gamble and the problems that come with it differ quite a bit. Let’s take a look at the situation in both countries, especially which forms of gambling cause the most problems and how the authorities try to get this under control.
Gambling in Belgium: rules, but still addictive
In Belgium, gambling is subject to strict rules. The Gaming Commission keeps a close eye on things, with, for example, mandatory registration for online gambling and strict advertising restrictions. Nevertheless, many Belgians suffer from gambling problems. Just like in Australia, the popular forms of gambling here are the Lotto, slot machines and sports betting. And let’s be honest, the latter two in particular are notorious for their addictive effect.
Many people buy a lottery ticket every now and then, but the really big gambling problems are more often seen in people who gamble quickly and a lot. Think of those screaming slot machines in cafes or online platforms where you can gamble away a lot of money without realizing it.
The problem with slot machines and sports betting
Slot machines, or “pokies” as they are called in Australia, are a well-known problem. These machines work very quickly and can cost you a lot of money in no time. In Belgium you mainly see them in cafes and arcades. Just like in Australia, they are one of the biggest sources of gambling problems. People keep putting a coin in the machine, hoping for that one big hit. The problem? That hit often doesn’t come, and before you know it, you are a few hundred euros lighter.
Sports betting is also not without danger. Whether it concerns football or cycling, the possibility of quickly placing a bet, often online, ensures that people quickly go overboard. It is easily accessible and before you know it, you are refreshing to see if your bet has won. Just like in Australia, these forms of gambling are becoming increasingly popular in Belgium, especially among young people.
Lotteries: less harmful but popular
But what about the Lotto and scratch cards? Lotteries are incredibly popular in both Belgium and Australia. Almost everyone buys a ticket now and then, right? But although many people participate, they cause little damage. You buy a ticket, wait for the draw and that’s it. It goes slower and you usually only spend a few euros each time. That makes it a lot less risky than, for example, lightning-fast slot machines.
In Australia, it was even shown that lotteries only account for 0.1% of gambling problems. And Belgium? It looks about the same there. The Lotto remains a national favorite, but the real damage comes from faster gambling.
Australia: the land of the “pokies”
When we look at Australia, the “pokies” immediately catch the eye. These are the slot machines that you find in every pub or club outside of Western Australia. And with a good glass of beer, it can quickly get out of hand. According to research, these machines are responsible for more than half of all gambling problems in the country. People lose thousands of dollars to them every year.
Sports betting is also taking off, especially through in-play betting, where you can still bet during a match. This increases the excitement, but also makes it much easier to lose. And that can sometimes be hard, especially if you think your team is going to win, but it goes wrong.
Regulations in Belgium versus Australia
The Belgian Gaming Commission has already taken quite a few steps to curb gambling. For example, they have severely limited advertising and ensure that you have to register with your identity card if you want to gamble online. This ensures that people spend money less impulsively. But it is also difficult to reduce the number of gamblers in Belgium, especially with the rise of online gambling platforms.
In Australia, there is a fierce debate about gambling advertising, especially for sports betting. A 2023 report, You Win Some, You Lose More, even recommended a complete ban on gambling advertising. This caused quite a stir, especially in the sports world. But the message is clear: something has to change to reduce gambling problems.
The big question: what is the worst?
When we put it all together, we see that slot machines, both in Belgium and Australia, are the biggest culprit. They are fast, addictive and often cost people a lot of money. Sports betting is not far behind. And although the Lotto is popular, both in Belgium and Australia, it is less harmful because it is simply less fast and addictive.
The big question you have to ask yourself: why do people keep going back to these risky forms of gambling, when they know that the chance of winning is small? Maybe it is the excitement, the feeling that you can become rich at the push of a button. But as the figures show, most people end up cheated.