The Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO) has called on authorities in the country to take a stricter approach to illegal gambling websites after new research revealed almost half young men aged 18-21 are gambling with unlicensed operators.
Commissioned by BAGO, the research took place prior to new rules being introduced on the minimum gambling age in Belgium. As of 1 September this year, players must be at least 21 to participate in legal gambling.
Age requirements for sports betting, arcades and bingo have now been raised to be in line with land-based casinos. Since 2018, players have had to be 21 to gamble at casinos across Belgium.
However, research flagged almost half of men aged 18-21 in Belgium were gambling with illegal operators before the law became effective. This, in essence, meant the new regulations would not have impacted their activities on illegal sites, which are not bound by the same rules as licensed operators.
Furthermore, the research suggests awareness of illegal gambling sites is much higher within the male 18-21 age group. When asked about the first brand they think of when gambling online, 29% of those surveyed within the age group named an illegal site. In comparison, just 4% of the general player population named an unlicensed site when asked the same question.
On top of this, when shown a list of gambling brands, 85% of young people recognised a site without a licence, compared to 15% for approved operators.
As to how young people became aware of unlicensed operators, 31% said they discovered the sites on social media. A further 26% said they found the websites as a result of sports sponsorship.
BAGO brands illegal websites a “major social problem”
Responding to the latest research, BAGO chairman Tom De Clercq described the findings as “worrying”. He called for the approach to illegal operators to be “tightened up” to halt any further proliferation of the black market.
“This proves that illegal websites are a major social problem. Because recognised providers apply strict age checks and focus strongly on player protection, young people are turning to illegal sites. It is essential that the approach to illegal gambling websites is tightened up to stop this development.”
De Clercq also flagged how unlicensed sites offer no protection for players, unlike those approved by the Gaming Commission. Measures required of licensed sites include age verifications, deposit limits, bonus bans and checks against the EPIS self-exclusion list.
Without these, De Clercq said, illegal operators are particularly risky.
He noted that young people have increasingly easy access to illegal gambling sites, which attract them with tempting bonuses.
“These platforms not only increase the risk of gambling addiction, but also undermine confidence in a safe, regulated gambling market.
“BAGO therefore advocates targeted awareness campaigns, a fact-based gambling policy and a stricter approach to illegal websites and measures to cut off financial flows to these providers.”
