In Belgium, gambling is more than just entertainment. Behind each game lies a precise legal framework, defined and monitored by the Gaming Commission (GC). This body ensures that establishments comply with well-defined parameters, two of which are essential: the average payout rate and the average hourly loss.
What is the average hourly loss?
The average hourly loss is based on three key elements:
- the stake, i.e. the amount staked by the player,
- the playing time,
- and the refund rate, which indicates the percentage of stakes redistributed in the form of winnings.
These criteria make it possible to calculate, over a very large number of games, how much a player is expected to lose on average per hour of play.
Bingos in cafés: the lowest loss
Bingos installed in certain cafés (C licence) represent the least financially risky gambling category. The average hourly loss is €12.50.
This sum is determined after simulating 20,000 games. In practical terms, if a player spent hours playing, he would lose an average of €12.50 per hour. This remains an estimate: an unlucky player can lose more in a few minutes.
Gaming halls
In gaming halls (B licence), the stakes increase significantly. Here, the average hourly loss is €25.
The calculation is based on 200,000 simulated games. Compared with bingo, this means that losses can double in these establishments.
Casinos: average losses of up to €70 per hour
Casinos (A licence) are where average hourly losses reach their legal maximum. It is set at €70 per hour and calculated on the basis of an impressive 2,000,000 games.
This means that a regular player can, statistically, lose the equivalent of a gourmet meal every sixty minutes. And once again, this figure is an average: some will lose much more quickly, others will win.
The individual case
The GC insists on one essential point: the amounts announced are only averages.
“We would like to emphasise the fact that these amounts are average amounts. As an individual player, it is possible to lose much more.”
In reality, each player is exposed to enormous variability. For example, a player can lose €200 in half an hour at the casino, even though the average hourly loss defined by law is only €70.
A legal framework that does not yet cover online gambling
All these rules apply to physical establishments: cafés, gaming halls and casinos. They are laid down by Royal Decree and constitute a strict legal framework.
But online gambling is not yet covered. No hourly loss limit has been defined for online casinos. However, players can get an idea of the average losses for each game by consulting the RTP.
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What is the average hourly loss in games of chance?
The average hourly loss is an estimate of the amount a player can lose in one hour of play. It is calculated over a very large number of games, taking into account stakes, time and the payback rate.
How much can you lose per hour in a casino?
In Belgium, the average hourly loss in a casino (A licence) is set at €70 per hour. This remains an average: an individual player can lose more in a short space of time.
How much can you lose per hour in a gaming hall?
The average hourly loss in a gaming hall (B licence) is set at €25 per hour. Please note that this figure is an average, and an individual player may lose more money.
What is the hourly loss for a game in a café?
Café gambling (licence C) is the least expensive form of gambling. The average hourly loss is set at €12.50 per hour. Remember that this is only an average: an individual player can lose more money.
Who sets these hourly loss limits?
In Belgium, these amounts are defined by law and governed by a Royal Decree.
Is there an hourly loss limit for online gambling?
No. There is currently no legal hourly loss limit for online gambling.
How can I limit my losses at the casino?
It is advisable to set a budget before gambling, to never bet money intended for essential needs, and to consider gambling as entertainment, not as a means of winning money.