The Belgian government announced that advertising in gambling will be prohibited in Belgium starting from July 1st
After publication in Belgium’s Official Gazette, the date became official.
This ban applies to all advertising by gambling organizations, online and land-based, except for the National Lottery.
Vincent Van Quickenborne (justice minister in Belgium) praised the confirmation date.
He stated that the decision was now made clear by the publication of the Belgian Official Gazette. Gambling advertising will be severely restricted starting 1 July 2023. “This is necessary as the normalization and banalization of gambling must stop.”
“The strict rules will immediately have an impact. The sports sector is given a transition period to allow it to adapt to the new realities.
On January 20, 2025, sports advertising in stadiums will cease. Gambling operators won’t be permitted to sponsor teams of athletes starting January 2028.
Backlash
The first time the ban was announced was 10/05/. It was widely criticized in subsequent months.
Franc Weerwind, the Dutch minister of legal protection, criticized the June ban and called for a more regulated environment for gambling than an outright ban.
The Belgian National Lottery denied allegations it had unfairly incited ministers to support this ban.
The ban was announced by the Belgian Gambling Commission, Kansspelcommissie. It called for a limit to gambling advertising within the country.
