The National Lottery now classifies its games by level of risk
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27 Feb 2026 •
Reading time: 2 minutes
The Belgian National Lottery has recently introduced an official indicator to assess the level of risk associated with each of its games. Inspired by a system similar to the Nutri-Score food rating system, this measure aims to inform players about the characteristics of the games on offer and to reinforce responsible gaming policies.
A new approach to transparency
For a long time, games of chance were presented almost exclusively from the perspective of entertainment and the dream of winning. But perceptions of gaming are changing. In response to societal concerns about excessive behaviour, the National Lottery has chosen to introduce a new tool: a risk level indicator. Each game is now assigned a letter ranging from A to E, allowing players to quickly identify its relative risk level.
Loes Mispoulier, spokesperson for the National Lottery:
‘The new risk indicators were introduced on our own initiative and are part of our duty of care. We consider player protection to be an essential part of our mission. The new system further strengthens our responsible gaming policy.’
How games are actually classified
We checked the scores on the national lottery website. Instant lotteries are classified as C, with the majority of games in the e-Games Lotteries section classified as C, with a few exceptions classified as D. Draw games such as Lotto and EuroMillions are classified as B. We have not yet seen any games classified as A or E, and the National Lottery explains that it does not offer E-class games due to their risks.
‘However, the National Lottery believes that even its responsible gaming environment does not allow these games to be offered in a sufficiently safe manner. It has therefore made the explicit choice not to offer any category “E” games.’
One thing stands out in particular from the analysis: traditional lottery games receive a better rating. Lotto and EuroMillions are classified as category B. The logic seems to be linked to the very pace of the game. Draws are not continuous and impose a delay between two possible entries. This time lag limits the immediate repetition of the game.
A changing view of gambling in Belgium
Beyond the classification itself, this initiative reveals a transformation in the perception of games of chance. They are no longer presented solely as neutral entertainment. The National Lottery thus seems to be seeking a delicate balance between commercial appeal and player protection.