Online Casino Belgium

Belgium Online Casino Sites

The Belgian government has shown a progressive approach towards both physical and online gambling in the country. In a world where most of the nations have prohibited the majority of games of chance, Belgium is a ray of hope for gamblers across the globe. Furthermore, the legislature has specifically drafted rules for controlling online casinos in Belgium. These rules allow punters to indulge in gambling without any concerns while they contribute to the national economy.

The annual revenue from casino gaming in Belgium has been consistent and is around 100 million Euros. A major portion of this revenue is through digital casinos that cater to Belgian gambling enthusiasts as well as international punters. If we dive deeper into statistics, the numbers clearly show that the annual revenue accumulated from the licensed brick-and-mortar casinos has witnessed a gradual decline (around 7% every year). However, the online gambling industry in Belgium is catching up at a very rapid rate, with annual growth rates up to 41%.

Because of the legalization of the online and onsite gambling industry, the Belgian economy is heavily impacted by the online casino games of chance. In 2015, online accounted for around 33% of the total marketplace revenue. This itself is an indication of the flourishing digital gambling industry in Belgium. Thousands of casinos holding Belgian licenses offer their services to international gamblers. However, there are a few downsides to such a large number of casinos.

Even though there are many online casinos in Belgium that have helped punters earn thousands of Euros, one must beware of fraudsters. A lot of innocent gamblers end up losing millions of euros globally to the casinos with malicious intentions. Most of these casinos are very easy to filter out. Here are some easy ways to select reliable and trusted casinos on the Internet that’ll help you in the long run.

You should look for authorized casinos on the Internet. The license can be found on the web pages of these digital casinos. Generally, you should inspect the legitimacy of the casino by examining its ‘About’ page. A separate page containing the official license can also be found through thorough exploration. Most of the casinos with proper licenses are legitimate and it is safe to place your bets on them. However, if in case, you encounter a glitch or a discrepancy, you can always approach government officials regarding the same. Choosing an authorized casino minimizes the risk of losing your hard-earned money. 1Casino1 does this job for you. Gamblers can find a curated list of reliable casinos on 1Casino1, as well as the best online casino tips.

The second way of choosing a credible casino is to watch for platforms that offer instant services. If a website compels you to install external software on your computer, you must avoid it at all costs. Many hackers install harmful viruses onto the host PCs by disguising themselves as online casinos. However, casinos operating in the form of a website are relatively safe as there are fewer chances of ending up with a malware installed. Not only this, but instantaneous games also mean real-time monetary transactions, which ensure transparency in the system. In such casinos, you can spot glitches on the platform right away and can back off at any moment.

Thirdly, you can always verify an online casino by checking their customer testimonials. These first-hand experiences emphasize the advantages and disadvantages of a particular gambling platform. A neutral and holistic review can give you better insights and stop you from choosing fraudulent casinos. In addition, you should always choose casinos with a significant number of positive reviews. However, if a casino has one or two reviews that highlight only the positive aspects, then you must carry out a proper inspection.

Choosing an online gambling site in Belgium can be a time consuming and tedious task. 1Casino1 can help you to choose among the most trusted, popular, and reliable casinos in Belgium. Irrespective of your gambling expertise, you must visit 1Casino1 to get acquainted with the best online casinos in the fraternity while minimizing the risk of losing your hard-earned money to fraudsters and hackers.

Online Gambling in Belgium: Laws and Regulations

Unlike its European counterparts, Belgium has one of the most efficient and systematic regulations to supervise online gambling. Many people attribute this progressive approach to its position as the host of the European Union. Let us explore the laws and regulations governing online gambling in Belgium.

Prior to 2011, the online gambling scenario was very hazy in Belgium. The Belgian gaming act of 2011 allowed the government to legalize online gambling while setting up a well-defined set of rules to supervise the industry. However, the government was very open to gambling, betting, lotteries, and games of chance since the 19th century. The Lotteries Act of 1851, the Gaming Act of 1999, and the National Lottery Act of 2002 define a major portion of gambling activities in Belgium. Furthermore, the legal age of gambling in Belgium is 21 years.

Despite the flexible attitude of the government towards gambling, offenders are severely punished by the authorities. The government regularly cracks down on online gambling websites that are operating without a proper license. The list of such websites is then supplied to Internet service providers, which ban them from the Belgian cyberspace. Not only this, but the offenders (casino operators) also have to pay a hefty fine of up to 100,000 Euro as compensation to the government. The players also have to pay a 25,000 Euro fine to the government.

Such a systematic approach is rarely seen in the legislation across the globe. The Kansspelcommissie or the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) is largely responsible for this structure. These rules are fundamentally similar to that of the USA’s regulations. However, there is another side to this coin. The government has imposed strict regulations on online casinos when it comes to advertising and marketing. It is prohibited to advertise gambling as the primary source of income. Furthermore, websites can market themselves directly only on their own platform.

25 October 2008’s Royal Decree asserts that online casinos can not advertise and offer bonuses such as free spins, welcome offers, discounts, and additional tokens to gamblers. Moreover, the decree also limits every individual’s weekly spending to 500 Euro. This limit can be increased, but only after approval by the BGC which will be granted to the operator.

The laws and regulations related to gambling in Belgium are a combination of freedoms and restrictions. However, Belgian laws are highly systematic and well defined when it comes to virtual gambling platforms.

Gambling History in Belgium

Belgium has a rich cultural history which can be witnessed in the age-old lotteries, betting, and card games. Historians claim that Belgians have been involved in card games and lotteries since the 1300s. Back in the day, Belgium was the leading supplier of playing cards in England and the rest of Europe. Besides the French, the Belgians also had a massive influence on the card games in Europe.

The gambling history in Belgium is evident when one sees the Belgian-Genoese card patterns. To date, the Belgian cards are played in the Middle-East, North Africa, and the Balkans. Furthermore, Belgian colonies have also witnessed a massive influx of Belgian betting culture which has shaped the modern-day gambling industries of many nations. Moreover, the bookmakers of Belgium helped in a systematic regulation of gambling throughout the country since its inception.

The national lotteries of Belgium data back to the 15th century. Moreover, with the gradual evolution of native culture and regimes, the Lottery Act of 1851 influenced the gambling scenario in Belgium. This act granted the Belgian National Lottery full control of national lotteries. Institutionalization of gambling resulted in a more organised betting scenario in the nation. Furthermore, the betting industry also evolved.

In the 1930s, brick-and-mortar casinos saw a rise in popularity in Belgium. The country proudly hosts vintage casinos such as the Casino Knokke, which was rebuilt after the Second World War. These brick and mortar casinos bought games such as blackjack, roulette, spinning wheel, bingo, and slot machines to the mainstream. The laws made in the year 1999 allowed the Belgian Gaming Commission to encourage the gambling industry in the country, which later on became one of the major sources of income for the government. This was followed by the Internet revolution and the dot-com boom which gradually encouraged casino operators as well as gamblers in Belgium to shift to online casinos.

The Future of Online Gambling in Belgium

Many gambling enthusiasts and punters look to Belgium as one of the most favorable destinations for gambling because of the favourable law and the legalization of online as well as on-site gambling. The online gambling industry in Belgium is growing every year, which indicates a positive future. However, there is a mixed perspective because of the recent steps taken by the government.

Online casinos in Belgium saw their golden period between 2011 and 2020. These years mark the legalization of online gambling and the introduction of a few restrictions. The Royal Decree of 25th October 2018 imposed some restrictions which came into action in February ’20 and March ’20. The imposition of these restrictions might halt the surge of online gambling in Belgium.

Advertisements and no caps on bets gave enormous power to online casinos in Belgium because they were accessible to the global population. This was driving overwhelming traffic towards digital gambling platforms in Belgium. A strict stance of the Belgian government on gambling will affect the industry in the future. You can witness a gradual decline in the native user-base as they drift towards the casinos that grant more flexibility to deposit amounts and bets.

However, a middle ground can be achieved between the government and the gamblers to improve the situation in the future. Instead of setting a generalized weekly cap for the users, the authorities can amend the law and introduce subjective limits. For example, the betting limit for regular gamblers can be less compared to that for occasional gamblers. This will check extravagant bets by citizens and restrict them from engaging in risky bets. Moreover, this will meet the needs of individuals who gamble occasionally while regulating the cash flow in the industry.

The Belgian government has been one of the most favorable governments to punters across the globe. Slight modifications to the existing laws can satisfy the authorities as well as the gamblers, which will be beneficial in the future.

Belgium Casino Online FAQ (5)

• Is it legal to play on online gambling sites in Belgium?

  Yes, it is legal to play on online casinos in Belgium. However, you must place your bets on the licensed casinos to avoid hefty fines. As of now, a person can’t spend more than 500 Euro per week on gambling. Further, you must be above 21 years to participate in any kind of gambling activity.

• Do Belgium Authorities Allow Online Sports Betting?

  Yes, Belgian authorities allow sports betting on digital platforms. Thousands of gamblers in Belgium place their bets on soccer leagues, hockey, video games, etc. You can choose an online betting platform of your choice on 1Casino1.

• Is online gambling safe in Belgium?

  Yes, contrary to popular belief, online gambling is completely safe in Belgium. The government has drafted an efficient set of rules that is friendly to the punters. However, one must choose the casinos which have a permit from the Belgian Gambling Commission  (BGC) to avoid unnecessary legal actions.

• Are bonuses offered by online casinos in Belgium?

  As of now, the government has prohibited the system of granting bonuses to gamblers. However, if you want to avail of these bonuses, you can access casinos licensed by other nations by using VPNs. One can get free spins, 100% tokens, discounts, and all sorts of welcome bonuses from online casinos while in Belgium.

• What are the available deposit methods?

  You can deposit your money with the help of credit/debit cards (like maestro), paysafecard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Omnium secure, and Cashlib. Not only this, but many online casinos in Belgium also allow payment methods such as Bancontact and Paysafecard. You can also make deposits in Euro, USD, Pound, among a wide range of other currencies.