In Belgium, illegal gambling platforms are growing in popularity, a worrying development that is causing concern among players in the sector. The Gaming Commission (GC) has confirmed the fears expressed for some time by the Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO): spontaneous visits to these unregulated sites are rising steadily.
How can such growth be explained? The GC highlights the aggressive exposure of young people, particularly via social media. Targeted advertising campaigns exploit their vulnerability, sometimes leading them to venture onto unlicensed platforms beyond the control of the authorities.
Aggressive advertising and lack of protection
A third of young Belgians aged between 18 and 30 say they are attracted by advertising for illegal games on social media. However, these sites operate without any guarantees:
- no age control or deposit limits,
- no information on the risks or referral to help services,
- no guarantee of payment of winnings or security of personal data.
These shortcomings expose users to serious dangers: debts, exploitation of data and even fraudulent manipulation of games. Above all, they create an environment conducive to addiction, with no protective safety net.
The measures requested by BAGO
To remedy this situation, BAGO is not content to simply promote reforms; the association is also formulating specific requests:
1. A sanctionable arsenal
- Strengthen the GC’s powers to ensure rapid detection and dissuasive sanctions.
- Simplify procedures, so that the regulator can effectively close down illegal sites.
2. Blocking financial flows
- Work with financial institutions (banks, payment platforms) to prevent transactions to unlicensed sites.
- Draw up blacklists that can be consulted and updated, shared between public and private players.
3. An institutional and societal alliance
- Involve the government, legal operators, health professionals and associations in a comprehensive approach to prevention.
- Develop targeted awareness-raising campaigns, particularly among young people, on the dangers of unregulated sites.
A fast-growing phenomenon
The GC survey highlights an alarming fact: 4 of the 10 most visited sites in Belgium are illegal. And confusion among players is high: one in three young adults can no longer tell the difference between a legal and an illegal site. This lack of clarity encourages migration to fraudulent operators, to the detriment of the protection, transparency and even fairness of the games.
Institutional reform is essential
BAGO stresses the urgent need to provide the GC with:
- trained staff and technical tools,
- prerogatives to act swiftly against illegal sites,
- international cooperation to shut down foreign-based platforms.
The proposed approach goes beyond simple control:
- Financial: blocking payments to illegal sites.
- Preventive: information campaigns and educational initiatives in schools and associations.
Health: training health professionals to identify and support cases of addiction.