Gaming Commission reinforces: Gambling prohibited up to the age of 21
From September 1, stricter rules apply for participation in gambling in Belgium. The Gaming Commission once again reminds players that the date of the minimum age is approaching. Persons aged 18 to 21 are excluded from participating in all games of chance offered by private operators.
Persons under the age of 21 no longer have access to:
- Casinos and slot machine arcades
- Online gambling
- Betting offices
- Newspaper shops where games of chance are offered
- Bingos and other gambling equipment in cafes
The primary aim of the measure is to protect young people against the dangers of gambling addiction. Nationale Loterij, Lotto en EuroMillions, may still allow people aged 18 and over to participate.
Minimum age for gambling is 21
After four years of debates and legal battles, mainly led by Stefaan Van Hecke (Green), the new legal framework was adopted to better protect consumers. The legislation was approved during a plenary session by the House.
The private gambling industry, represented by the Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO), expressed its concerns. The operators feared that the ban on combining multiple licenses on the same website and the advertising ban will lead players to illegal sites, which will make the prevention of problematic gambling behavior more difficult.