Twice as many self-exclusion from gambling in Belgium

The Belgian government is committed to responsible gaming and has developed various tools to support people suffering from gambling addiction, including self-exclusion from casinos and betting shops. A recent study showed that the number of people requesting this self-exclusion has doubled in three years, increasing from 4,796 in 2020 to 9,330 in 2023. These figures, released by Minister Van Tigchelt in response to Barbara Pas’s question, shed light on a worrying trend.

Barbara Pas, parliamentary group leader, emphasizes the importance of these figures and refers to a survey by the Gaming Commission, which showed that about one in four young adults are encouraged to gamble by advertising. Additionally, more than half of the respondents admitted to gambling in the past three years, with 13% stating they gamble daily.

Contrast with the number of player accounts

Despite these alarming figures, the number of people opting for self-exclusion remains relatively low compared to the total number of player accounts created on license-A casinos in 2021, which amounts to 2,266,254. Another explanation for this increase is also that the Gambling Commission has made self-exclusion easier for players. This trend highlights the need to increase awareness of the risks associated with gambling.

Underestimation of gambling addiction

Experts agree that current figures probably underestimate the true extent of gambling addiction in Belgium. The Belgian government lacks precise data on the total number of people affected by this issue. Nevertheless, the rapid increase in the number of self-exclusion requests clearly indicates that more and more people recognize the need to protect themselves from the risks of gambling.

Relaxation of the request for self-exclusion from gambling

The Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) offers the possibility to request a voluntary access ban to casinos and betting offices, both online and offline. This step, taken by the individual concerned or by a close one (such as a parent or spouse), aims to protect individuals from the dangers of gambling addiction.

Since the end of 2021, the process of self-exclusion has been facilitated thanks to the government application ‘itsme’. This initiative aims to lower the registration threshold and could explain the increase in requests.