Kansspelcommissie (KSC), the Belgian gambling regulator, has significantly simplified the mechanism for blocking player access to gaming services. This decision has led to a sharp increase in the number of self-exclusion requests.
As of July 2025, citizens submitted 61,095 inquiries via the Itsme digital ID platform or by written application. For comparison: in 2024, the total number of such messages was only 12,509.
Key Figures of Belgium’s Gaming Market
KSC blocks around 40,000 attempts to participate in real-money entertainment by self-excluded players monthly. All such cases are reflected in the official register.
According to the regulator’s latest published report:
- about 38,000 tries are rejected on digital platforms;
- another 2,000 are banished from land-based halls.
Many users reactivate their restriction function multiple times during the year. Belgian legislation establishes that the minimum period of the ban is 3 months from the date of its approval.
Not only participants, but also their relatives can apply for exclusion from access to gambling services. All such requests are considered individually.
Strategy to Combat Unlicensed Platforms
In early 2024, Belgium launched a large-scale government initiative, Always Play Legally, aimed at raising awareness among citizens about recognising certified operators. The campaign quickly gained widespread public support and became a key element of the national policy to limit access to the shadow segment.
Nevertheless, even with the active promotion of the program, in Q1 2025, the regulator identified almost 1,300 cases of advertising with manipulative elements. The marketing materials were distributed through Meta’s resources.
Prospects for Belgium’s Legal Gaming Market
The local self-exclusion system has shown good results, thus confirming its effectiveness as a voluntary protection tool. At the same time, the more measures the control authorities implement, the higher the rate of user outflow to shadow websites. Data from the Belgian Association of Gaming Operators report is evidence of it.
The study showed that 47% of self-excluded citizens continue to place cash bets on offshore platforms. To effectively regulate the industry, the state needs to implement a more comprehensive and balanced approach to its monitoring and transparency provision.
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