How Belgium regulated the online gambling market through casino licences?

This is a specificity inherent to every innovation. When something new is created, it must be surrounded by a legal framework. To protect consumers. With one clear objective: preventing fraud. On the new online Belgium site Loco Casino, you can play with complete peace of mind.

Why? Because Belgium has one of the strictest regulatory frameworks in Europe when it comes to online gambling. And because your favourite site had to obtain a licence from the Belgian Gaming Commission before launching. The main objective of this regulation is to protect players, combat gambling addiction and prevent money laundering.

Any online casino activity, sports betting or online poker is strictly governed by Belgian gambling law. This is why we considered it essential to address this topic in our blog.

The central role of the Belgian Gaming Commission

While it actively promotes responsible gambling, the Belgian Gaming Commission is also the official authority responsible for issuing licences, monitoring operators and sanctioning illegal platforms.

It ensures compliance with legal obligations, particularly regarding player safety, game transparency and the protection of personal data. This also helps you identify illegal casinos.

Online casinos authorised in Belgium must be officially registered with the Belgian Gaming Commission and comply with very strict technical and financial standards. This applies in particular to deposits and withdrawals, which you can find detailed in our FAQ.

The different online gambling licences in Belgium

Belgian legislation provides for several types of licences, each corresponding to a specific category of games. The A+ licence is intended for online casinos linked to a land-based Belgian casino, allowing the operation of casino games such as slots, roulette or blackjack.

The B+ licence applies to online arcade gaming halls, while the F1+ licence is reserved for online sports betting operators. We also provide a guide to help you recognise a legal casino in Belgium. Finally, the F+ licence is dedicated to horse race betting. This structure ensures close supervision of gambling activities and limits market access to operators that comply with Belgian law.

A specific feature of the Belgian system is the obligation for an online casino to be linked to an approved land-based establishment. This rule aims to strengthen state oversight and ensure operator reliability. This decision was made when iGaming emerged in the mid-2000s.

Player protection measures

Belgian regulation places strong emphasis on player protection. Online casinos must offer responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, playing time limits and self-exclusion options.

The EPIS system allows players to voluntarily exclude themselves from all legal gambling sites in Belgium, thereby strengthening the prevention of excessive gambling. These measures make Belgium a benchmark for consumer protection in the online gambling sector.

Advertising for gambling in Belgium is subject to very strict restrictions. Licensed operators must comply with precise rules regarding content, broadcasting times and advertising media. The aim is to limit exposure of vulnerable audiences, particularly minors and individuals at risk of addiction. Unlicensed platforms are strictly prohibited from being promoted within Belgian territory.

Sanctions against illegal casinos

Operators offering online games without a Belgian licence face severe penalties, including substantial fines and the blocking of access to their websites. Belgian players are also strongly encouraged to avoid unauthorised platforms, as these offer no guarantees regarding game security, game providers or the protection of winnings.

To address this issue, the Belgian Gaming Commission regularly publishes a blacklist of illegal websites to inform the public. Choosing an online casino holding a Belgian licence guarantees a secure, transparent and legally compliant gaming experience.

Games are monitored, payments are regulated and players’ rights are protected. For Belgian players, playing on a site approved by the Belgian Gaming Commission is the only way to fully enjoy online gambling in complete legality. For more cautious players, do not wait any longer. Register for free and safely on Loco Casino.