The Gaming Commission officially changes its supervisory authority
The Gaming Commission will no longer report to the Ministry of Justice, but to the FPS Economy, following the adoption of a bill to this effect yesterday.
A significant transfer of powers
This is a structural change that might go unnoticed by the general public, but which marks a significant shift in the management of the gambling sector in Belgium. The Gaming Commission will now be attached to the FPS Economy, following a vote approved by a parliamentary committee.
Until now, this regulatory body fell under the Ministry of Justice. This shift towards the economy is not insignificant. It reflects a political desire to reposition gambling not merely as a legal or criminal matter, but as an economic sector in its own right.
By entrusting the supervision of the Commission to the FPS Economy, the government aims to strengthen the coherence between gambling regulation and economic policies, particularly in relation to the market, competition and consumer protection. The FPS Economy also has extensive powers regarding the regulation of digital markets, which could provide greater capacity to act in response to new players in the sector.
A sector under increasing pressure
For several years now, the Gaming Commission has been warning of a severe shortage of resources. Under the chairmanship of Magali Clavie, the institution acknowledges that it can no longer fully fulfil its remit given the scale of the sector, particularly online. With insufficient staff, delays in inspections and imposed priorities, the regulator is operating under constant strain.
The transfer to the Federal Public Service for the Economy is therefore seen as an opportunity. The Commission hopes to secure more staff and more flexible management, particularly to enable faster recruitment.

