The Belgium Gaming Commission has confirmed that the legal age for all forms of gambling will increase from 18 to 21 from September 1st 2024 while bonuses are also set to be banned.
A new legal gambling age is one of several changes to the Gambling Act of 7/05/1999 which were published in the Belgian Official Gazette.
Changes include:
- New prohibition of devices as set out in section ‘3.3’ of the ACT
- Multiple gaming licenses for one website no longer allowed
- A complete ban on gifts, bonuses, and free games
- Advertising games of chance is now banned
- Age limit of 21 years
Customers who have online gambling accounts and are under the new minimum age limit must be offered refunds. Any wagers made with no age controls in place must also be refunded.
Devices in section 3.3 refers to bingo and reduced-stakes gaming devices operated in Class III gaming establishments.
The new age limit will bring Belgium’s sports betting, bingo and arcades in line with the minimum age that is currently in operation for land-based casinos.
Belgium’s ban on gambling advertising was first introduced in July of 2023. This new ban seeks to further limit advertising for games of chance.
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