Is the Gambling Age Set to Increase Across the EU?

The online gambling industry in the European Union grows, and with it, grows the number of players and their interest in games of chance and sports betting. Belgium has weighed in on the trend and stepped forward with a potentially divisive response. Concerned about the increasing exposure of its citizens to the gaming industry, it increased the legal age for gambling from 18 to 21 years. 

This dramatic decision now separates the country significantly from some of its closest EU neighbors who also embraced and legalized virtual games of chance and sports betting.

• Sweden: This country reformed its gambling laws and opened the market to licensed online gambling operators on January 1, 2019. The Gambling Act of 2018 regulates online gambling, with licenses granted to domestic and international operators. The official regulator in the country is Spelinspektionen. The legal age for gaming online in Sweden is 18.
• Finland: This state has had online gambling for a while under a monopoly system with Veikkaus controlling all forms of gambling. However, private operators are not legally allowed to offer services within Finland yet. The system is expected to evolve towards a licensing system in the upcoming years. The legal age for gaming online in Finland is 18.
• Austria: Online gambling has been legal in Austria since 2011, regulated under the Austrian Gambling Act, which allows both domestic and licensed international operators to offer online gambling. The Austrian Ministry of Finance oversees gambling regulation, while the Austrian Gambling Act (Glücksspielgesetz) governs the industry. The minimum age for all gambling, including online gambling in Austria, is 18 years.

The European online gambling industry is currently valued at over €40 billion, with Europe dominating around 40% of the global market. The overall global market for online gambling was worth approximately $94 billion in 2022, and it is projected to nearly double within the next several years.

In Europe specifically, the growth of online gambling is driven by advancements in digital technology, increasing mobile connectivity, and the proliferation of user-friendly payment options. Mobile platforms are particularly influential, allowing users to gamble on the go, and innovations such as virtual reality and blockchain are enhancing user experiences, further boosting market growth.

This trend is likely to continue over the next five years, with Europe maintaining a leading position in the industry while North America, particularly the U.S., sees the fastest growth due to increasing legalization and regulation of online gambling

How Is Online Gambling Regulated in Belgium?

Compared to many of its neighbors and other EU states, online gambling in Belgium was not very liberal to begin with. The legal body in control of the industry is the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC), which follows the Belgian Gambling Act of 1999. The document was updated back in 2010. 

In accordance with this Act, only those businesses that already have land-based presence can apply to obtain licenses for online services. In other words, only owners of brick-and-mortar casinos qualify. New online operators will need to begin at square one and get licensed for offline services first. Many international brands solve this problem by partnering with already existing land-based casinos and building virtual platforms off of those partnerships.

Each business must clarify the type of services they will provide to players and get licensed accordingly:

• Class A+: For online casino games.
• Class B+: For online slot machines and electronic gaming.
• Class F1+: For online sports betting.

Any operators that choose to ignore the legal framework and deliver unlicensed services should be ready to face penalties. Under the Belgian Gambling Act, these vary in severity from fines to imprisonments. The state also blacklists and geo-blocks unlawful operators. This means that players can share the responsibility with the businesses that break the laws and if a player is found gaming in blacklisted casinos, there will be consequences. Most likely, fines.

On top of regulating the providers, the country regulates advertisers and promotes responsible gambling:

• Advertisement: There is a specific time when ads related to gambling can be aired on TV. They must include messages about responsible gambling. There is also a strict script for promotion bonuses.
• Responsible Services: Belgium-licensed online operators must promote self-exclusion and offer tools to help players keep track of their spending on betting and games of chance. 

Needless to say, all casino revenues are also rigorously taxed. This makes for a significant source of revenue for the governments. That being said, wins that players obtain are not subject to personal income tax.

In a nutshell, Belgium's regulatory framework is relatively strict compared to some other European nations, with a strong emphasis on consumer protection, responsible gambling, and controlling unlicensed operators.

How Will New Gambling Rules Affect Belgium?

Belgium's online gambling market is valued at approximately €1.46 billion (about $1.6 billion) in 2022, with steady growth over the years. The number of daily active gamblers increased to 150,000 in 2023, almost triple the 2018 figures. However, with the country raising the legal gambling age to 21, it can bring significant challenges to the industry, the experts warn.

While the immediate financial impact is uncertain, the new restrictions, along with advertising and promotional bans, are expected to create challenges for licensed operators and reduce market growth. What is more, some experts believe that this could potentially drive some gamblers towards unregulated, black-market platforms.

The experts argue that while the change aims to improve consumer experience, reduce problem gambling, and protect from unhealthy habits, it fails to reflect on the current state of gaming in general, and penalizes the gambling industry whilst raising additional questions. Experts now question why the age was not bumped up for other high-risk activities, such as drinking, smoking, and driving. The legal age to watch porn in Belgium is still 18, as well. Addiction is not limited to gambling, the industry lobbyists argue. Therefore, they call for a nationwide debate on the perceived maturity of young adults.

Will Belgium’s Initiative Affect Other EU Countries?

Belgium’s zealous approach to regulating maturity and restricting access of young adults to games of chance rightfully raises questions across other EU states. Will other governments follow the lead? Will we see more updates in regulations in Sweden, Finland, and other countries on the continent that have embraced regulated gambling?

For the sake of clarity, we must say that quite a few EU members already discussed Belgium’s strategy as the one to follow. Among them are German regulators and those in the Netherlands. The lawmakers of these countries are also concerned about the exposure of younger players to a high-risk activity that borderlines addiction and would like to shield the young minds from any negative impacts of the industry.

Of course, not all discussions and debates immediately lead to action. Changes in the Belgian Gambling Act were five years in the making. It all started back in 2019 with the government ordering research and taking time to collect and analyze data. Many influential experts were drawn into the debate, including representatives of the gambling industry, lawyers, politicians, public health advocates, and activists. This lengthy process highlights the complexity of balancing industry interests with public health concerns and consumer protection.

Final Thoughts

The EU market continues to grow, no doubt about that. Alongside the growth of the market, there is also an increasing growth of mobile users, which means that everyone these days can have access to online gaming activities anytime and anywhere. Navigating the ever-changing landscape of the modern world is challenging and the hope is that the decisions are always made in favor of the consumers and with respect to social responsibility and player protection measures. 

There is a high chance that within the next few years, more countries will follow in the footsteps of Belgium, shielding young adults from potential negative impacts of the regulated industry but at the same time exposing them to the challenges of the unregulated market. For this is the way things work – anything that is prohibited gets immediately replaced with unlawful alternatives.

To protect our Belgium-based players from getting lured into scammy online casinos that were not licensed by the local regulator, here is a set of rules to follow:

• Always choose an international online operator that has a license. It might not be as fancy as the one from the UKGC, but the alternatives are decent. Look into sites authorized by MGA and the jurisdictions of Curacao, Cyprus, or the Isle of Man, to name a few.
• Do our research and hit the leading forums to see what players have to say about the platform that you eyeball. If the reviews are disturbing, the advice is to look for another place to bet and win.
• High-quality sites usually provide information about their owners. This allows players to track the company’s reputation and make informed decisions about registering.
• Platforms worthy of attention usually also collaborate with certified game developers and secure payment methods. This is a clear sign that the online lobby values quality and the experience of its players.

Always gamble responsibly by setting limits on your time and spending, and never view gambling as a way to make money. Take advantage of self-exclusion tools if you feel the need to take a break, and remember that help is available if gambling starts affecting your well-being. Stay safe, play within your means, and always prioritize entertainment over risk.