Nearly half of young men in Belgium gamble illegally
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20 Nov 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes Nearly half of young men between the ages of 18 and 21 appear to gamble on illegal websites. This is evident from a study conducted by BAGO, the federation of licensed Belgian gambling operators.
This research took place just before the age limit for gambling was raised to 21 on 1 September 2024. The figures show that many young people were already active on platforms that do not have a license before this increase.
Tom De Clercq, chairman of BAGO, calls these figures worrying.
“This shows that illegal gambling sites are a major problem. Young people choose these sites because recognized providers apply strict age checks and focus on player protection. As a result, they resort to platforms without supervision. There is an urgent need to take stricter action against these illegal practices.”
Illegal brands stick with young people
A striking detail from the research is how strongly illegal gambling sites stick in the minds of young people. When asked about brands they associate with online gambling, 29% of men aged 18 to 21 spontaneously named an illegal site. In the general player group, this is only 4%.
Even more worrying, 85% of young people in this age group recognise illegal gambling brands when presented with a list, compared to only 15% for licensed operators. Social media plays a major role in this. 31% of young people who gamble on illegal sites say they came to these platforms via social media, and 26% were influenced by sports sponsorship.
According to Emmanuel Mewissen, vice-president of BAGO, social media is a major culprit.
“You only have to open your social media and you will see a flood of advertisements for illegal gambling sites. These platforms cleverly use channels that are popular with young people, which strengthens their presence.”
Risks of illegal gambling sites
Illegal gambling sites offer no protection for players. Belgian licensed operators apply strict rules and are monitored by the Gaming Commission. For example, they offer checks via the EPIS list, strict age verification and other protection measures such as limits and a bonus ban. Illegal sites do not have these measures, which makes them a great risk for players.
These platforms attract young people with attractive bonuses, but at the same time endanger their privacy and security. In addition, they increase the risk of gambling addiction. According to Tom De Clercq, illegal gambling sites undermine confidence in a regulated gambling market.
“It is essential to start more awareness campaigns and cut off financial flows to illegal providers. That is the only way we can limit the damage.”