Gambling operators will have to pay more to the GC in 2026
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16 Mar 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
The Belgian federal government has decided to adjust the financial contributions imposed on gambling operators in order to fund the operations of the Gaming Commission.
Increased funding to oversee the gambling sector
The regulation of gambling in Belgium is the responsibility of the Gaming Commission. Tasked with supervising operators, protecting players and combating illegal activities, this authority is now seeing changes to its funding.
A new Royal Decree, approved by the Council of Ministers on the proposal of Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden, sets out the financial contributions that licence holders will be required to pay in 2026 to cover the body’s operating costs. These contributions fund, in particular, the costs associated with staff, facilities and the supervisory tasks carried out by the Commission and its secretariat.
Each year, a Royal Decree sets the exact amounts of the contributions to be paid for the following calendar year. The companies concerned cover a wide range of activities: casinos, slot machine halls, betting operators, machine suppliers and online gaming platforms. These operators are classified according to different types of licences. A casino does not contribute at the same level as a slot machine operator or a sports betting operator.
A contribution that funds the entire regulatory framework
The main remit of the Gaming Commission is to oversee the entire sector to ensure a legal, secure and responsible gaming environment. It performs several key functions: issuing licences to operators, monitoring their compliance with regulations, combating illegal sites and ensuring player protection.
The Commission must therefore have sufficient resources to carry out inspections, conduct investigations and sanction operators who fail to comply with the regulations.
Contributions for 2026
For the calendar year 2026, the main contributions are as follows:
- Class A (casinos): €22,085 per year
- Class A+ (online casino linked to a land-based casino): €11,042
- Class B (gaming halls): €11,042
- Class B+ (online gaming halls): €11,042
- Class C (gaming machines in the hospitality sector): €752
For operators running gaming machines in casinos, an additional contribution is required: €714 per machine, with an annual minimum of approximately €21,475.
Suppliers and technical service providers in the sector must also contribute to the funding of regulation:
- Class E (maintenance, repair or gaming equipment): €3,682
- Class E for services related to online gaming: €12,603
- Class E for the provision of machines: €1,842 per 50 machines
As for betting operators, the contributions are:
- Class F1 (betting organisers): €12,603
- Class F1+ (online betting): €12,603
- Class F2 for placing bets in a Class IV gaming establishment: €3,780
- Class F2 for betting outlets located outside gaming establishments: €1,737
Finally, certain specific contributions relate directly to gaming machines operated in betting establishments, at a rate of €446 per machine.
These fees are generally paid once a year for the main licences (A, A+, B, B+, E, F1 and F1+), whereas those relating to C and F2 licences must be paid before the licence is issued, covering its entire period of validity.