The Gaming Commission (GC) held its first meeting with its new members on 18 September. With a range of sanctions, new licences and financial challenges, the Belgian institution demonstrated its determination to strengthen regulation of a sector undergoing radical change.
The Gaming Commission inaugurates its new era
The Gaming Commission (GC) held its first meeting with its new members on 18 September. The meeting was eagerly awaited, as it marked the start of a new phase for the regulatory authority, whose role remains crucial in a sector that is constantly evolving.
The body, which is responsible for overseeing, regulating and sanctioning the Belgian gambling market, addressed a series of dense dossiers, ranging from the fight against illegal sites to the examination of licence applications.
The fight against illegality: a priority
At its first meeting, the GC confirmed its determination to combat illegal practices. Fifteen additional illegal gambling sites have been blacklisted, a measure designed to protect players and serve as a reminder that the market is strictly regulated.
The sites added are as follows:
- magicwinscasino.be
- wolfy-casino.be
- boomerang-bet2.com
- bigclash1.com
- bigclash.com
- pepper-mill.casino
- tikitaka9.com
- tikitaka.com
- bluvegas.com
- billionairespin.com
- 36billionairespin37.com
- 11billionairespin29.com
- cazeus2.com
- spinbara.com
- spinbara1.com
- billybets2.com
Interestingly, the Gambling Club team discovered pepper-mill.casino this summer.
Cafés and bookshops under surveillance
Physical establishments are not left out. The GC has opened four sanction proceedings against cafés and bookshops accused of failing to comply with regulations. One particular case even led to an immediate sanction: that of a fake bookshop that served only as a front for offering games of chance.
This decision illustrates the Commission’s determination to go beyond mere administrative control. By taking strong action, it intends to preserve the balance between legal offers and the protection of citizens.
Licensing: a colossal undertaking
The heart of the Commission’s work remains the management of licences, the backbone of the industry. At this inaugural meeting, 28 licence renewals were examined.
But the scope of the work does not stop there. Nearly 60 new licence applications from cafés and bookshops were also processed. These figures show the extent to which demand remains high in the physical network, despite the rise of digital technology.
Digital was also on the agenda. The GC granted three new licences to gaming suppliers and one to an online gaming site.
At the same time, the Commission has validated three new machine models, authorised two new tests and extended three ongoing tests. These decisions reflect the Commission’s particular vigilance with regard to technical innovations, which must always go through a validation phase before being placed on the market.
Player protection at the heart of the debate
Another sensitive issue was discussed: exclusions. The Commission examined eleven cases, including requests for lifting. Voluntary or imposed exclusion remains a major instrument for protecting against the risks of addiction.
This social dimension underlines the fact that the GC’s mission goes beyond mere economic regulation. It must also act as a safeguard for vulnerable people.
Financial challenges in the background
The new members of the Commission also received an initial presentation of the institution’s financial situation. The budgetary challenges are significant, given the increase in the regulator’s remit over the years. Striking a balance between ambitions and financial resources will be one of the challenges of this new term.
A dynamic that has only just begun
This first meeting was just a starting point. The Commission will be meeting again in the very near future to examine new licence applications and to consider a bill currently on the agenda of the House.In an industry that is constantly changing, the GC is set to play a pivotal role in the months ahead. Its ability to combine firmness, innovation and social protection will be decisive in preserving the credibility and effectiveness of regulation in Belgium.