Belgium’s Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO) has revealed that 25% of customers are on the offshore gaming market.

This means that one in four Belgian players risks higher chances of financial fraud and developing problem gambling behaviour, as unlicensed platforms are out of the scope of regulatory jurisdictions. 

Legal frameworks are there to protect players, dictating mandatory age verification measures, ceilings on deposits, and self-exclusion tools among others – none of which are present with illegal operators.

To better take the point across, BAGO highlighted that 47% of all players that have self-excluded have started gambling again, this time through unlicensed channels.

Adapting regulations

A key at-risk demographic are people under 21, with BAGO identifying that 65% of the men surveyed between the ages of 18 and 21 are gambling illegally.

This persists in spite of Belgium’s increased player protection controls across online and retail. For one, the country brought up its minimum gambling age to 21 towards the end of last year, alongside outright banning bonus incentives.

What’s more, the country’s gambling regulator, Kansspelcommissie (KSC), introduced a ban on gambling sports sponsorships at the turn of this year. These restrictions banned companies who offer gambling services directly, but allowed for their social-focused subsidiaries, such as the Entain Foundation.

Tom De Clercq, Chairman of BAGO, said: “We are on a sloping plane. While licensed gambling sites are subject to strict rules, investing in responsible gaming and actively protecting players, illegal operators are given free rein. 

“And that has consequences: more and more people, especially young people and vulnerable target groups, end up in an illegal circuit without rules, without control and without protection. If we do nothing, Belgium is in danger of losing control of its gambling market.”

To address Belgium’s black market challenges, the government will soon enforce a coalition agreement this July, which will tighten regulatory oversight not just in gambling, but other sectors as well.

Emmanuel Mewissen, Vice-President of BAGO, added: “In the fight against the plague of illegal gambling, BAGO fully supports the implementation of the coalition agreement, which must give the Gaming Commission the means to grow into a powerful regulator. 

“This is the only way it can effectively tackle illegal providers, protect consumers and maintain a well-regulated private market.”

Source