Never before have so many people in Belgium been banned from gambling. According to recently compiled data, nearly 200,000 adults are now banned from casinos, betting agencies and licensed online platforms.
Propelled by a double increase
By 1ᵉʳ November 2025, the number of people on the gambling ban list had reached 135,383. Added to this total are 59,000 individuals subject to a professional gambling ban – bringing the total to 194,108 individuals. A considerable jump: an all-time high for the country, according to the Belgian media.
But where does this increase come from? It appears that this growth is primarily due to voluntary enrolment: between 1ᵉʳ January and the beginning of November 2025, the number of voluntary enrolments rose from 56,459 to 65,014, an increase of 15%.
At the same time, more of the relevant professional sectors are also included in the ban, a sign that the authorities are stepping up their vigilance in the face of gambling-related risks.
Who is affected?
People on these lists are barred from several types of activity: casinos, physical betting agencies, automatic gaming machines and approved online gaming platforms.
However, the ban does not cover:
- games offered by the National Lottery;
- slot machines in cafés;
- sites or games located abroad.
A banned person can therefore still gamble via unregulated channels.
What are the challenges for the future?
As the number of people banned from gambling rises, a number of challenges are emerging.
- Firstly, we need to improve support for those who are registered: banning gamblers is only the first step; we also need to offer alternatives.
- Then there’s the question of upstream prevention: risk education, early detection and information for vulnerable groups.
- Finally, the regulation of off-frame gambling: while official campaigns target licensed platforms, unlicensed or foreign platforms continue to pose problems.
The fact that almost 200,000 Belgians are now banned from gambling is a turning point. As much a warning signal as a catalyst for action, this fact invites in-depth reflection on the balance between personal freedom, social protection and public responsibility.
While prohibition is a powerful tool, it must be accompanied by support, prevention and regulation adapted to the digital age. Beyond the figures, it is lives that are affected, families, careers, destinies. And Belgian society appears to be at a turning point in its gambling policy.