Belgium Online Gambling

Belgium has an interesting take on online gambling, one that differs much in comparison to how other European nations choose to tackle this subject. Whereas most states embrace or reject online gambling altogether, Belgium has different ideas. All forms of gambling are allowed in the country, however, there are heavy regulations imposed on betting companies which have to be
followed to the letter.

1. Belgium Online Gambling License
2. Belgium Online Gambling Tax
3. Belgium Online Casino

Sports betting is one of the permitted types of gambling featured in the country and customers have access to a decent range of sportsbooks. However, the legalities of the situation may not be clear to all. For your convenience, we have gathered the most important information regarding online betting in Belgium and have included it below in an easy to understand manner.

1. The provision of online gambling services is legal in Belgium as long as the operators have obtained permits by Kansspelcommissie, which is the Belgian Gaming Commission. Remote gambling was prohibited in the country until it was eventually legalized in 2010 after the Act of May 7, 1999 was amended by the passage of the Law of January 10, 2010.
2. Gambling online is legal in Belgium for all players who are aged 21 or older. The current Belgian gambling laws date back to 2011 and are unquestionably messy. Belgium has several different gambling licenses available, depending on the type of service an operator wishes to offer.
3. Belgium Online Casinos. From all of the above, the conclusion is that online gambling is legal and regulated in Belgium. Players can access Belgium-based online casinos, but also international online casinos that hold a license to operate on the market. Therefore Belgian players have access to a wide variety of online casinos.

1. • Min Odds: 2/5 (1.40)
   • Turnover: 5x B
   • Expiration: 7 days
2. • Min Odds: 1/5 (1.20)
   • Turnover: 1x Bet
   • Expiration: NO
3. • Min Odds: 17/10 (1.70)
   • Turnover: 5x D+B
   • Expiration: 30 days
4. • Min Odds: 4/5 (1.80)
   • Turnover: 5x D+B
   • Expiration: 30 days
5. • Min Odds: 2/5 (1.40)
   • Turnover: NO
   • Expiration: 30 days

Legalities of Online Sports Betting in Belgium

Historical Betting Overview

Brussels Casinos and Brussels Gambling - Belgium. Brussels Casino Directory Brussels Zenith Cameo Brussels Gambling City Games. EU Member States should be free to maintain their own rules on online gambling, but should step up EU-wide cooperation to counter the black market and protect children and vulnerable consumers.

Belgium has a long history with gambling dating back to the 19th century, as indicated by the Lotteries Act of 1851. Modern online gambling, on the other hand, has been unregulated for the most part and already existing regulations were lax, at best. This was during a period where the online betting scene in Belgium was taking off and many different providers were moving into the market. For better or for worse, Belgian punters had access to a wide range of platforms to bet on. It was not until the Gaming Act of 2011, which went into effect on 1 January 2011, that the online betting market saw true regulations. In fact, this piece of legislation introduced rules covering just about every aspect of the online gambling scene and brought proper conduct to the Belgian online gambling industry. However, the strict regulations made it impossible for some providers to operate within the country legally and the market was reduced to a limited number of licensed entities.

Odds Format in Belgium

There are three main odds types in the current sports betting scene – decimal, fractional and American. Fractional odds are mostly used at Irish and UK betting websites, while American odds are featured at US sportsbooks. Belgium websites, on the other hand, will display the decimal format, by default. This is the trend at most European betting sites. Decimal odds are presented as such:

Betting Options: 1.50

What this tells us is that for every $100 that we wager, we stand to win $50 in profit, for a net total of $150 after the bet is settled. Unlike fractional odds, the decimal format represents the total amount that will be added to your bankroll after the sports event concludes. Decimal odds are useful in the sense that very little multiplication is required to read them properly, making them accessible to just about everyone.

Belgium Betting Laws and Legislation

With the introduction of the Gaming Act of 2011, the Belgian online betting industry saw strict and precise regulations that all operators have to follow. Moreover, to offer its services a betting company first has to be licensed by the Belgium Gaming Commission. This regulatory institution has licenses for all the different betting types. Sports betting is classified with an F-type license and there are three different types. An F1 license permits a person to organize bets, whereas entities that accept wagers need to acquire an F2 license. An F+ license is required to accept bets over the Internet and it is tied to an F2 license. All F-style licenses last for 9 years before they have to be renewed.

A holder of an F-style license has to fulfil several requirements before the license is issued. For one, companies need to be incorporated under Belgian law or other EU member states. Furthermore, they have to prove their tax liabilities are satisfied and showcase their financial capacity. Not only that but for the sake of transparency, all persons involved, including shareholders, need to have their identities revealed.

As far as taxation is concerned, all online bets are taxed 11% on the net profit. It is worth pointing out that gambling debts to unlicensed operators are not enforceable. However, those to licensed ones are.

Belgium Betting Restrictions

When it comes to restrictions, Belgian gambling laws can be quite draconian in certain aspects. Starting off with the lightest restriction type, the minimum gambling age in Belgium is 18 years old. This is the standard for most forms of betting in Belgium, with the exception of casino gambling where the minimum age starts at 21 years old.

But that is only the start. The gambling authorities in Belgium have determined that only a limited number of gambling licenses can be issued overall. This means that a smaller number of operators can offer their services to a Belgian customer base at any time. For F1 license holders, the limit is 34, while F2 licensees cannot exceed 60.

Additionally, in order to provide online betting in Belgium, the company needs to run land-based establishments. Effectively, this blocks most international betting platforms from working in Belgium. Moreover, the Belgium government will prosecute all companies that operate without a licence, while Belgian residents who gamble at unlicensed platforms can be fined up to €25,000.

Online Betting Regulatory Body in Belgium

All gambling in Belgium is regulated by the Belgium Gaming Commission. This government body was established in 1999 and it oversees all forms of betting in the country, including casino gaming, poker, bingo, horse racing betting, fantasy betting, lotteries, skill games, and of course, sports betting.

The BGC imposes strict rules that operators have to follow and makes sure that the companies eligible for licensing are in line with regulations. Specifically, the BGC requires the privacy of punters to be protected, prohibits the exploitation of vulnerable customers, and ensures that punters are paid accordingly, among others.

The Belgium Gaming Commission has done a great job at enforcing all laws and regulations to ensure that customers are treated fairly. Moreover, this institution is quite thorough when vetting potential licensing candidates to verify their integrity and legitimacy.

Belgium Online Betting Bonuses

There are plenty of benefits to betting at Belgian online sportsbooks and among the major ones, we count promotions and bonuses. Since most bookmaker websites offer similar odds and betting markets, a great way to choose one over another is to look at the promotions they offer. These come in several different forms and each will provide you with a different form of value.

A common promotion type is the deposit bonus. Bookmaker websites will match your deposit up to a certain amount and add it to your balance as bonus funds. These can be used to place bets on different sports events and once you meet the turnover requirement, you will get to cash it in. This has to be on specific odds or higher in most cases and the turnover will usually be anywhere between 4 to 8 times the bonus value.

Alternatively, free bets are also another popular bonus type at modern online sportsbooks. The betting website will allow you to place a wager with a specific value at no cost to you. If bet losses, your bankroll will not suffer. However, if it wins, you get to take the profit from it. Some sportsbooks may ask you to fulfil a turnover requirement, while others may be more liberal in their terms.

Odds boosts are always great to have since they not only increase your winnings but also come with very few restrictions. These can be applied on traditional bets or parlays, where each additional leg adds an extra 1% to your profits. This bonus type comes with the lowest risk factor making them ideal for everyone.

Mobile Betting in Belgium

Mobile betting is becoming ever more popular with smartphones and tablets getting so prevalent in everyday life. So much so, that many people are forgoing the desktop sportsbooks altogether. Bookmaker websites have caught onto this trend and are looking to deliver the best possible mobile experience to their customers. Practically, every betting website worth its salt will offer a mobile version of its service.

You will quickly learn that mobile betting is just as good as doing it on a desktop platform or in person at a bookmaker shop. The mobile sportsbooks are easily accessible from every mobile device and one can easily set up an account. As soon as you are ready to bet, you will notice that you have full access to all the features of the platform. This includes all supported betting markets, regular promotions and perhaps even exclusive mobile ones, customer support, banking solutions and just about anything else you can think of.

The major brands have put in considerable effort to make sure that their customers can easily access their respective mobile platforms and that the overall experience is enjoyable. We are certain that if you are a fan of mobile betting, the modern online betting scene has much to offer you.

Popular Betting Banking Methods in Belgium

Online gambling comes with certain peculiarities not featured in its brick and mortar counterpart. One such is an inability to use physical cash to place bets, instead, you will have to rely on an online payment solution to get your money into your bankroll. These are available in several different forms, each offering something different.

At modern online sportsbooks, credit cards are always an option. Practically all bookmaker websites accept Visa and MasterCard, while some will also support the likes of Maestro, Amex, or Diners Club. Credit card transactions are instant, allowing you to immediately start betting. Moreover, withdrawals are also possible and can take several business days to process.

If credit cards are not for you, then consider the eWallets supported by the industry. Specifically, these include Skrill and Neteller, which are accepted at a universal basis, as well as, PayPal, EntroPay, ecoPayz, and others. The main benefits of eWallets include instant deposits and withdrawals, enhanced privacy and overall convenience.

The online betting scene also supports great alternatives to these two types. Prepaid cards are great for some customers, though there are detriments, such as an inability for withdrawals. Online banking is also quite useful if your bank works with the supported service. Overall, you will have a slew of banking options at your disposal whenever you sign up at Belgian betting websites.

Verifying one’s identity is a mandatory process at all reputable sportsbooks, not just Belgian ones. It is required by the regulatory authority to ensure that all participants are eligible to gamble at that particular platform. It is used to weed out all underage persons and those in non-supported jurisdictions. Moreover, identity verification is also necessary for tax purposes.

If you are ever in a disagreement with a betting site, you can always reach out to the appropriate authorities. In the case of Belgian websites, this is the Belgium Gaming Commission. This institution has the last say where disputes are concerned and it will ensure that all regulations and laws are applied rightfully.

Belgium Online Gambling License

Strictly speaking, the sportsbook will abide by the terms of the promotion but you will also be held to the same standard. It is important to read the rules of the bonus before you do anything to understand what is required of you and how to go about doing it. It is often the case that gamblers will not read the terms of a promotional offer and have their bonus seized as a result of breaking the rules.

There is nothing stopping you from opening accounts with multiple providers at once. In fact, this is one way to get the best odds possible for specific sports events. However, what is often not allowed is holding multiple accounts with the same betting site. In such cases, this can be considered abuse which will result in a ban and your bankroll being returned to you.

There are a plethora of reasons why this could happen, ranging from fault with the payment provider, incorrect payment information, and others. It is important that all your banking information matches your personal data, as indicated on your ID or driver’s license.

Belgium is one of Europe’s smaller countries. Sharing borders with the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France, the country has plenty in common with ease of these nations. However, its gambling laws are its own, and to any player based out of Belgium, the laws of the land may seem strict, overly so. If you are thinking about betting online in Belgium, there are certain things you are going to want to be made aware of. What can Belgians gamble on? What types of casinos can they play at, and are there any punishments for visiting offshore and foreign sites? Will aim to reveal all right here.

An Overview of Gambling in Belgium

Belgium

Belgium takes a hard line when it comes to online gambling. However, players need not be too dismayed. The European nation has legalised online gaming to a degree, even if there are several restrictions concerning what you can and cannot get away with.

Gambling online is legal in Belgium for all players who are aged 21 or older. The current Belgian gambling laws date back to 2011 and are unquestionably messy. Belgium has several different gambling licenses available, depending on the type of service an operator wishes to offer. Since the change in the laws, all operators catering to players in Belgium must have obtained a gambling license from the Belgian Gambling Commission, known locally as the Kansspelcommissie in Flemish, and Commission de Jeux de Hasard in French.

Belgians are permitted to play in any of the ten or so land-based casinos scattered throughout the country. They are also eligible to play at any online casinos which feature licenses issued by the commission. There are not too many of these. Poker is popular in the country, and although there are no official laws governing the game, poker sites are considered legal.

Lottery games fall under the Lotteries Act and the Federal Act of 2002. These dated laws ensure that lotteries games are legal, both online and offline. Bingo is defined as a table game in Belgium, and thus it is available at all casinos (online or otherwise) which have obtained a license to provide table games to players. What about sports betting? Under Belgian law, high-street bookies are permitted to offer sports bets if licensed, and the same is true for online sportsbooks.

About Belgian Offshore Casinos

Belgium takes a hard line when it comes to offshore casinos. Each commune’s police force takes action to force ISPs (internet service providers) to shut off access to any foreign sites they come across. Belgium has an official blacklist of domains which are not permitted to offer their gambling services to players in the country, and the list is extensive.

Because Belgium actively blocks all access to offshore casinos, Belgians are required to use a VPN (virtual private network) if they wish to play at those domains. Some of the poorer VPNs will be unable to break the geo-block restrictions in place, but a semi-decent one can. Belgium actively fines operators who provide gambling services to Belgians without a licensed from the Belgian Gambling Commission. The country’s gambling authorities are not believed to crack down on individual players who take advantage of these services, although the “STOP” warning followed by the police force’s logo is enough to frighten many players.

Belgium’s Most Played Casino Games

Casino Games

Because of the nature of Belgian gambling licenses, players will often struggle to find licensed domains which offer several different types of games. This would involve holding several different licenses at the same time. As each gambling license is costly, most internet betting sites in Belgium tend to specialise in specific games. There are notable exceptions, of course, such as the biggest and most prominent operators in the world, who can easily afford such licenses.

These are the gambling games you can expect to find at Belgian domains:

Slots:Slot machines are widespread at Belgian online casinos. These games typically come from smaller-scale providers, and not the major developers such as Microgaming or Net Entertainment. A few home-grown operators also dish out titles to players in Belgium, which makes some of these casinos’ games rather unique.

Dice Games: Dice games are hugely popular in the European Union country. These are not games such as craps and sic bo. Instead, they are dice slots, which is a concept seldom found outside of the country. Popular with players across Belgium, they can be found in virtually all major sites.

Table Games: Belgian casinos do carry table games, although the array of titles you can choose from is not likely to be as extensive as you will find at other leading casinos. You are likely to find one or two variants of roulette, blackjack, and baccarat, but the more obscure table games are less likely to spring up at Belgian casinos. Expect both low and high-limit games to be available, too.

Live Dealer Casino Games: Only a handful of Belgian online casinos currently offer live dealer casino games. In most cases, these will be provided by the smaller developers, and not the most recognisable brands. There are always exceptions to be found, though.

Poker Games: Poker games are popular in Belgium. While it is possible to find a few RNG (random number generator) based poker games up for grabs at online casinos, you will find proper tournaments and games more commonplace at poker rooms. These online poker rooms seldom offer other types of casino games.

Lottery, Keno and Bingo: Sites which offer lottery games are not permitted to provide other forms of gambling games unless licensed to do so. Keno and bingo games are both considered to be table games in Belgium, so can be found in instant win format at a fair few Belgian online casinos.

Belgium Online Gambling Tax

Sports Betting: Sports betting is licensed and regulated in the European country. These online bookies may carry casino games, too. It is typically only the larger, more renowned sites which do so. Smaller Belgian bookies are unlikely to cough up for a typical gaming license, so do not expect to find too many offering typical casino games.

Taxes on Big Wins at Belgian Casinos

The tax situation for Belgians is relatively straightforward. The state does not charge taxes on any winnings you acquire from lotteries, sports betting, poker, or gambling games. However, if you were to land a sizeable win, you might find yourself liable to pay income tax on the interest you earn from those winnings.

The same is not true for gambling companies. Operators must fork out notable fees to obtain gambling licenses in Belgium. As there are several licenses, these fees soon add up. On top of that, operators in the Belgian gambling market must also pay tax on revenue made from players in the country.

The Best Belgian Online Casinos to Join Today

Websites Info

Belgian players are strongly advised to play at Belgian Gambling Commission licensed casinos. However, it is not a mandatory requirement. Although it is difficult to get access to an offshore or foreign casino without a decent VPN, it is certainly not impossible. Many Belgians choose to do this, on account of the Belgian authorities not punishing them for doing so.

Whether you decide to play at an offshore casino, or a locally licensed one, the things you should look for in a top Belgian casino remain the same. These include:

Belgian-Friendly Bonuses: Belgian online casinos are quite strict when it comes to promotions and bonuses. Operators must jump through hoops to ensure that they do not have restrictive terms and conditions on their offers, and this makes them worth much less than at offshore casinos. Naturally, many Belgian players, therefore, prefer to play at foreign sites. If you do so, make sure that any bonus you are thinking of claiming can be snapped up by Belgians, as not all can.

French and Flemish Language Gameplay: Belgium is home to three official languages in French, Flemish (Dutch) and German. The latter is spoken by a small number of players. English is also widely spoken in the country. Any online casino you are thinking of joining should offer gameplay in at least French and Dutch, if not the other two.

The Euro Currency: Belgium is a member of the European Union and the Euro Zone. Therefore, any casino you opt to play at should accept the euro currency. If not, you could find yourself subject to charges for converting deposits and withdrawals.

Belgian Payment Methods: Belgians like using MisterCash and Bancontact to deposit and wager. These two favoured methods are popular whatever a Belgian may wish to spend money on. With that in mind, any casino offering their services to Belgians would do well to carry them. On top of that, Belgian casinos will typically offer a range of card-based options, but e-wallet deposit methods are rare in Belgian Gambling Commission licensed sites.

Your Favourite Games: As mentioned, there are various licenses for numerous games. You will want to ensure that you are playing at a site which carries several licenses. This way, the Belgian online casino can provide you with access to several games. Naturally, this is not likely to be so much of an issue at offshore casino domains.

Reliable Support Options: Belgians rely on phone support quite frequently for other things, so a decent online casino will also offer this method of support for free, and in French and Dutch at the very least. On top of that, Belgian casinos should also provide live chat and e-mail support. This may be on a 24/7 basis, but that varies from site to site.

Fast Cashout Times: If you are playing at a Belgian licensed casino, the odds are good that you will be able to cash out your winnings rather rapidly. However, offshore casinos may be much slower at processing these transactions, and that is something worth bearing in mind.

Belgium Online Casino

Belgians, as we have said, have two vastly different ways that they can play online. They can opt to play at Belgian Gambling Commission licensed sites, but these are few and far between and often quite heavily regulated. Alternatively, they might choose to play at offshore casinos, which have a far more extensive selection of games, but you may have to jump through hoops via VPNs to play there. Ultimately, there are numerous examples of both which represent the best casinos for Belgian players, so the choice is yours.