In this ultimate guide to choosing an online casino, we take you step by step through the process of selecting an online casino that is reliable, transparent, entertaining and, above all, legal.
Choosing a good Belgian online casino is not always an easy task. It’s easy to be tempted by bonuses and end up at an illegal casino that hasn’t yet been blocked by the Gaming Commission, or that has usurped the identity of another casino that is completely legal. In this guide, we will explain how to select the best possible casino in Belgium that meets your expectations and guarantees that you will be playing in a secure and 100% legal environment.
A Belgian licence, a guarantee of trust
The very first thing to check is the licence. In Belgium, only online casinos with a licence issued by the Gaming Commission (GC) are allowed to operate legally.
This licence guarantees that the site complies with strict rules on security, player protection and financial transparency. It also requires collaboration with a licensed land-based casino. In the event of a dispute or dubious behaviour on the part of the operator, these regulations allow players to have recourse.
The Gaming Commission has published lists of officially licensed casinos and betting sites on its website. If the casino is not on this official list, it is best to stay away from it. Playing on a site that is not approved in Belgium exposes you to penalties and a total lack of protection.
‼️Any doubts? Check the blacklist of illegal casinos to see if the name of the casino you want to visit appears on the list.
.BE: a good indicator
Legal casinos in Belgium all have a site address ending in ‘.be’. None of them use a site ending in ‘.com’ or any other extension.
This is very important information to remember because some illegal casinos use the name of a 100% legal casino, keeping the same URL but changing the extension. This is the case for the Golden Palace casino, for example. An illegal casino uses the address ‘goldenpalace.com’ whereas the official legal site in Belgium is ‘goldenpalace.be’.
Fortunately, goldenpalace.com has been blocked by the GC, but every day new sites usurping the identity of legal casinos appear, so let’s remain cautious.
Security and responsible gaming first and foremost
A good online casino doesn’t just offer games: it protects its players. This means a secure connection (HTTPS), a clear privacy policy and, above all, responsible gambling tools.
All casinos licensed in Belgium must include deposit limits (maximum €200 per week by default), temporary or permanent self-exclusion options, and access to the EPIS system (Personal Exclusion from Games). These mechanisms help to protect players from the risks of addiction.
Some platforms go even further, incorporating algorithms to detect risky behaviour, self-assessment questionnaires and regular prevention messages.
Simple, fast and transparent payments
Another crucial criterion is the management of deposits and withdrawals. A good online casino offers several reliable payment methods: bank cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, paysafecard. But more than diversity, it’s transparency and speed that count.
Check the processing times for withdrawals, the limits applied and whether there are any charges. A site that takes too long to pay or imposes excessive checks can quickly become frustrating, and that’s rarely a good sign. Don’t hesitate to consult the opinions of other players to find out about their experience.
You can also look to see if the site offers instant payouts like Instant Cash which is available at PepperMill Casino, BeCasino and several others.
⛔ A casino that offers crypto currencies is to be avoided, it is forbidden to offer crypto currencies in Belgian casinos.
Enticing bonuses
Enticing bonuses are attractive, but beware. In Belgium, bonuses are banned, so if a casino offers you a welcome offer such as a free deposit, close the site and move on to the next one!
The ban on bonuses does not prevent legal casinos from regularly offering you promotions such as tournaments, cash drops, boosts on your bets and even jackpots. However, these promotions sometimes hide restrictive conditions, so read the general conditions for each promotion carefully: Which games are taken into account? How long does the promotion last? How much do you have to bet?
Always choose clear, accessible offers with no nasty surprises. It’s better to have a modest promotion like PepperMill Casino‘s Super Boost, which gives you up to £10 in boosts every day, or the Oria Club, which allows you to save points to receive Paysafecards, than a promotion that promises you wonders and wonders that you’ll never see, or even worse that leads you to an illegal site.
A varied and fair range of games
A good casino should offer a rich and regularly updated games library. This includes classic slot machines, progressive jackpot games, table games (roulette, blackjack, baccarat), as well as live dealer experiences from renowned providers such as Evolution Gaming.
But quality isn’t just about looks. Games must have an honest and independently audited payout ratio (RTP). This guarantees that the player has a real chance of winning, without any software manipulation.
A pleasant interface that is accessible everywhere
Site navigation is another important criterion that is often overlooked. Yet it plays a major role in the user experience. The site must be fast, well organised and easy to use on both computer and mobile. Most serious casinos now offer a mobile version or a dedicated application.
Remember to test the game search, the fluidity of the lobby and access to security settings. A poorly thought-out interface can spoil the experience, even if the games on offer are good.
Responsive customer service
It is essential to be able to contact support easily in the event of a problem. A reputable casino will provide a live chat, an e-mail address, a telephone number and a comprehensive FAQ. Check the hours of availability and the quality of the response.
Customer support that can be reached 24/7, and that responds in French, English and Dutch, is a real plus. It shows the seriousness and attention paid to players.
Other people’s opinions count too
Before you sign up, take the time to read the opinions and feedback of real players on forums and specialist websites. This will enable you to anticipate any recurring problems or confirm the reliability of the casino. But remain impartial, and know the difference between harsh criticism and frustrated players.
A 0-star review that says ‘I never win anything’ can be ignored, as all legal casinos in Belgium offer exactly the same chances of winning, and all winnings are linked to chance. On the other hand, a 0-star review that says ‘I have never received my winnings’ should attract your attention. If a casino never pays out winnings, it’s best to avoid it.
Some platforms, such as Trustpilot, unwittingly promote illegal casinos because nothing in their general terms and conditions prohibits them from creating an account and receiving reviews.
So beware of illegal casinos, fake reviews or unverified reviews. Cross-check the sources and give preference to detailed, nuanced testimonials.
Responsible gambling: a reflex to adopt
Online gambling should remain a form of entertainment. It is essential to adopt a responsible attitude from the outset: set yourself a budget, limit your playing time and never try to recoup your losses.
Choosing an online casino in Belgium is not something you can improvise. Between legal obligations, security criteria, the diversity of the offer and player protection tools, there are many elements to take into account. By following our advice and bearing in mind that gambling should remain a pleasure, you can enjoy an exciting, responsible and worry-free experience.
If you feel that gambling is taking up too much space in your life, there are resources available: the EPIS system, help services such as SOS Spellen (0800/35.777), discussion groups and specialist psychological consultations. Talking about it is already a step towards finding a solution.