Gambling tax: a total fiasco for the government
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1 Apr 2026 •
Reading time: 2 minutes
In Belgium, a tax reform that was supposed to generate tens of millions of euros has still yielded nothing. Two years after it was announced, the gambling tax remains ineffective.
An ambitious reform that has had no effect
In 2024, the Flemish government decided to carry out a thorough review of gambling taxation. The objective was clear: to increase public revenue by bringing online gambling taxation more into line with that of other forms of gambling. The rate applied to online winnings, set at 11%, was to rise to 20%.
On paper, the reform promised a significant return: around €40 million extra per year for the Flemish treasury. But two years on, this tax is still yielding nothing.
According to figures cited in the political debate, Flemish gamblers are said to wager up to €18 billion a year. Yet the tax revenue generated by this sector remains limited, at around €70 million. An imbalance that is met with incomprehension.
Vooruit is losing patience with Ben Weyts
In the face of this lack of results, frustration is mounting within the majority. The Vooruit party has decided to raise its voice and is directly calling out the Flemish Minister for Finance, Ben Weyts (N-VA), who is responsible for the dossier. The main criticism centres on the government’s perceived inaction regarding a reform which, despite its promises, remains a dead letter.
For his part, Ben Weyts does not question the principle of the reform. He continues to defend the rate increase as a good idea. But he highlights a major risk: that of seeing gambling companies move their servers to regions where the tax regime is more favourable. The aim would be to avoid tax competition between Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia, which could benefit operators at the expense of public finances.
Another approach: taxing stakes rather than winnings
But for Vooruit, this approach is not enough. In a press release, Simon Bekaert proposes an alternative: completely changing the tax base. Rather than taxing the revenues of gambling companies, he suggests taxing players’ stakes directly, as is done in Germany. An idea that could radically transform the system.
“This would make gambling less attractive,” he explains.
This approach would also form part of a broader policy aimed at restricting access to gambling, particularly among young people.
Political pressure set to intensify
Two years after it was announced, the gambling tax in Flanders represents a political and fiscal failure. Amid broken promises, political disagreements and the complexity of the sector, the issue remains deadlocked. But political pressure continues to mount. Vooruit is demanding results, whilst Minister Weyts is calling for caution and consultation.