A study from the Belgian Association of Licensed Gaming Operators (BAGO) finds that 25% of gamblers in Belgium use sites without a local license. BAGO reports this causes harm to Belgium’s regulated gambling sector and puts consumer safety and vulnerable users at risk.
Numbers in the research show self-excluded users face a big issue. About 47% of blocked gamblers return to unlicensed sites for betting. BAGO shares: “Unlicensed platforms do not follow legal rules. They skip age checks, skip player registration in EPIS, and don’t set deposit limits.”
This means users have higher risks and do not get protection.
Young people are even more affected. Before stricter rules in 2024 stopped gambling for those under 21, nearly half of men aged 18 to 21 used unlicensed platforms. The share increased to 65% after law changes in 2024. Almost all, about 97%, know at least one illegal provider, as reported by BAGO.
BAGO says the situation is dangerous. Licensed sites follow rules, take care of users, have things like the Duty of Care agreement from November 2023, and keep players safe. Illegal sites ignore such guidelines.
Tom De Clercq, the chairman of BAGO, points out that more people, including young and at-risk groups, now join illegal platforms that have no rules, checks, or safety features. If the problem is not stopped, Belgium could lose control of its gambling sector, as happened in other countries.
Emmanuel Mewissen, BAGO’s vice-chairman, explains that banning illegal gambling is possible only if the Gaming Commission gets strong powers under the coalition deal so it can act as a strict regulator. He says that with these powers, illegal providers can be stopped, player safety is improved, and Belgium’s private gambling market can stay managed responsibly.
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