In a move aimed at fortifying gaming regulations and intensifying efforts against underage gambling, the Federal Council of Ministers in Belgium has given the green light to new restrictions on land-based gambling. The approved measures will mandate electronic ID verification for all slot machines situated in retail, leisure and hospitality establishments across Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia.
Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo in a parliamentary speech. The country is the latest to add mandatory ID verification for bettors. (Image: Agence France-Presse)
The decision to enforce these restrictions through a fast-track process underscores the urgency perceived by the council in addressing the inadequacies of existing rules, particularly concerning retail and recreational establishments. To ensure a seamless implementation of the electronic ID checks, the Belgian Gambling Commission (BGC) is tasked with developing a comprehensive timeline and providing technical guidance.
The move, which the ministers approved last Friday, is similar to others that have recently begun to appear in other countries. While many jurisdictions already force ID verification in regulated markets, it doesn’t apply everywhere.
Belgium Follows Denmark’s Lead
As Belgium strengthens its stance against the potential harms of gambling, these regulatory interventions aim not only to safeguard the vulnerable, particularly the youth, but also to create a more responsible and accountable gambling environment for all stakeholders involved. The emphasis on electronic ID verification and preventative messaging reflects a concerted effort to curb the adverse effects of excessive gambling while fostering a culture of responsible gaming.
Vincent Van Quickenborne, Belgium’s Minister of Justice, emphasized that the primary objective of this move is to combat gambling by minors and bolster responsible gambling measures. He stated, “This is an important step in the fight against gambling addiction. We will no longer tolerate unchecked financial pain at the expense of people with addiction.”
Denmark recently introduced a measure that will force all sports bettors to show their ID every time they want to bet. In Australia, online bettors won’t be able to wager after September of next year if they haven’t complied with mandatory anti-money laundering policies.
Belgium has been progressively and regularly tightening its grip on gambling regulations. This past July, the implementation of a ban on gambling advertising marked a significant milestone, which will lead to the elimination of TV and radio ads, as well as sports sponsorships.
Belgian Gambling Commission Takes a Stand
Adding another layer of accountability, the BGC is scrutinizing operators more than before. It recently issued a reminder to operators regarding new rules that mandate the inclusion of a “mandatory preventative message” in all their communications.
The regulator stressed that this rule is not only applicable to future communications but also extends to existing ones. The decree effectively prohibits all forms of gambling advertising and compels operators to integrate the message “gambling is addictive” into any previous communications still accessible to consumers.
This new message replaces the former tagline, “Please play in moderation.” Additionally, all forms of communications that consumers may come across must explicitly reference www.stopoptijd.be, the website of the Belgian gambling self-exclusion program.
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