GC study: legal gambling sites are more often recognised

A year after the entry into force of strict restrictions on gambling advertising and a few months after the minimum age for participation was raised to 21, the Gaming Commission (GC) is sharing the results of a new study carried out by DataSynergy on gambling behaviour, similar to the one carried out in 2023.

Aims of the study

The report entitled ‘Youth Survey on Gambling and Betting’, carried out by DataSynergy for the GC in June 2025, aimed to assess awareness and use of gambling sites, whether legal or illegal, among young people aged 18 to 30. The study also sought to measure the impact of recent legislative measures, in particular the restriction on gambling advertising since July 2023, and the raising of the minimum age for participation to 21 since September 2024.

Profile of the sample

The survey was conducted online among a representative sample of 1,001 young Belgians, balanced in terms of gender, age and region. There was an even split between French- and Dutch-speaking respondents, as well as a good balance between age groups: 18-20 year-olds represented 21% of the sample, 21-25 year-olds 38%, and 26-30 year-olds 41%.

Main results

Awareness of sites

Without help, respondents think first of legal gambling sites. 70% of them mention at least one legal site and 25% of them mention at least one illegal site.

Awareness of legal gambling sites remains very high: with help, 94% of respondents recognise at least one legal site, while 44% know of at least one illegal site. These figures are comparable to those obtained in the 2023 study.

Sites such as Unibet, Napoleon Games and Casino777 top the list of the best known. It’s noticeable that PepperMill Casino is on place 7 already, even though it’s a very young brand being only 3 years in the market. However, illegal sites such as Bet365 and Stake are gaining ground, particularly among men and residents of Brussels.

Gambling behaviour

In terms of gambling behaviour, just over half of the young people surveyed (53%) say they have taken part in gambling or betting since September 2024. This rate is stable compared to 2023. 30% of respondents gamble occasionally, 13% weekly and 10% almost daily.

Among 18-20 year olds, who are affected by the ban imposed by the increase in the minimum age, participation remains significant, although it is declining: 39% say they have played, compared with 51% the previous year. 26% of 18-20 year olds gamble occasionally, 7% weekly and 6% almost daily.

Frequency and types of gambling

In terms of frequency and type of gambling, online sports betting appears to be the most common. The proportion of frequent gamblers has fallen slightly, but the proportion of monthly gamblers has risen. 

Online games are still more popular than physical games. 48% of participants played online while 37% played offline. These figures are similar to those for 2023.

Use of legal vs. illegal sites

The majority of young people (84%) use legal gambling sites. However, almost a third (28%) use illegal sites, with 8% playing exclusively on these platforms. 

The top 10 most frequently used sites include 3 illegal sites.

Influencing factors

The choice of a site is mainly influenced by recommendations from friends, which is the decisive factor for 40% of respondents. This is followed by advertising on social media (32%) and television (25%). 

Some regional and demographic differences emerge: Flemish people are more sensitive to TV advertising, while women and 26-30 year olds are more influenced by online search results.

Key findings

In conclusion, despite recent restrictions, gambling retains a strong presence among young adults. Illegal sites are gaining in visibility, thanks in particular to social networks and the influence of peers. The data in the report will be used to adjust GC decisions and campaigns to raise awareness among young people.