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The Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO) is concerned about the result of the IPSOS investigation

At the end of September, the Gaming Commission published the results of an IPSOS survey carried out among 1,000 young people aged 18 to 30. The results of this investigation prompted the Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO) to call on the government to take stricter measures to combat the scourge of illegal operators while preserving the integrity of legal operators.

Alarming results

The investigation found that gambling, whether legal or illegal, has become incredibly popular among young adults. More than half of young people surveyed admitted to having recently gambled, and even more worrying, only a third of respondents were able to distinguish a legal gambling site from an illegal one. Among the ten most popular gambling brands, there are even four illegal operators.

BAGO’s reaction to these results is categorical: it is time to implement a more effective channeling policy, which would direct players to legal and secure platforms, rather than leaving them in the hands of illegal operators who do nothing to prevent problematic behavior. The risk of seeing the illegal gambling market take over the legal market, as is currently the case in Italy, is indeed real.

Combating illegal offer is essential

In a statement, BAGO said that “fighting illegal offering is just as essential as imposing strict rules on legal offering.” Indeed, illegal gambling sites escape any regulatory control, do not guarantee payouts, do not set gaming limits or verify the age of players, thus exposing younger players to unnecessary risks.

When it comes to protecting players, the government has gradually tightened the regulation of legal gambling. BAGO has often supported these initiatives, but today believes that these measures go “too far”. Emmanuel Mewissen, vice-president of BAGO, says: “By imposing radical rules and hiding the legal offer, the government is pushing players to turn exclusively to the illegal offer.”

Legal operators comply with strict regulations to protect players. However, excessive regulation appears to be crowding out legal operators in favor of illegal ones, creating risk for players.

For younger gamers, in particular, the line between legal and illegal sites can be blurred, exposing them to potential risks. Stricter regulations and effective awareness campaigns are needed to educate players and protect those who are most vulnerable.

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Caroline specializes in the casino industry, where she combines a deep knowledge of the gaming sector in France with a passion for digital innovations. She explores the changes that are revolutionizing this industry, from the integration of artificial intelligence in the user experience and data analysis to blockchain technologies that strengthen the security and transparency of transactions. Curious and committed, she is particularly interested in responsible gaming solutions and new regulations, addressing topics as varied as player protection, risky behavior management, and the importance of ethical practices.

Through her in-depth and accessible articles, Caroline allows readers to better understand the trends, innovations and challenges of a constantly changing industry. She takes care to demystify new technologies and to make the link between technical advances and their concrete implications for players and operators. Her goal? To offer an informed and balanced vision of a sector in full transition, between tradition and modernity, while contributing to a dialogue around more responsible and secure gaming.

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