Belgian Gaming Commission (Kansspel Commissie)
The Kansspel Commissie, or Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC), is the official gaming commission and regulator of the gambling sector in Belgium. While many forms of gambling are legal in Belgium, online casinos must already have a land-based business to offer their services online. The BGC provides oversight to these activities and issues online casino licenses for digital operators within its borders. Have a look at how the BGC regulates operations and players to protect the gaming community from disreputable gambling activities, how to apply for and obtain a license through them, and much more.
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What is the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC)?
The BGC was established by the Gambling Act of 1999 and is known to be one of the strictest regulatory bodies in Europe. Although the BGC's main duty is to ensure channelling legal gambling, with the primary aim of protecting players in the Belgian region, they actually focus on four key areas to ensure regulation across the board:
Protects players:
The BGC has taken protective measures to safeguard players from potential risks of gambling such as addiction and large financial losses. Examples of these protective measures include the ban on bonuses, the setting of a limit on play, and strict regulation of gambling advertising.
Advise the government and parliament:
The BGC also provides advice to the Government and Parliament on all matters related to games of chance and the protection of players.
Issues licenses:
They grant nine kinds of licenses necessary for operating games of chance and betting and ensure proactive management.
Conduct inspections and sanctions:
The BGC monitors compliance with the Gambling Act's provisions and can impose sanctions such as warnings, suspension, license revocation, and administrative fines.
Additionally, the BGC carries out its regulatory duties independently and is chaired by a magistrate. The President forms the BGC together with six ministerial representatives from the Justice, Finance, Economy, Public Health, Home Affairs and National Lottery sectors.
Popular Online Casinos Licensed by the Kansspel Commissie
Online casino operators are required to have a license to provide services to Belgian citizens legally. The process to obtain an online casino license is slow, and applicants must adhere to stringent requirements for approval. To ensure that licenses are only awarded to applicants who are able to demonstrate financial standing and integrity to preserve the international reputation of Belgium as an online gambling hub, applicants will undergo a thorough assessment. In the case of something not corresponding with the requirements, the BGC will provide a checklist of necessary improvements. In addition to this, all online casino applicants must already have a land-based business present in Belgium to offer their services online legally.
Applying for a Kansspel Commissie Gambling License
Having a BGC gambling license means that you are allowed to offer your services to the people of Belgium for up to 15 years. Although the application process is a slow and stringent one, it ensures that players are protected and that their establishment is legally operational. There are nine different licenses that the BGC can grant you - each license requiring you to fill out a different form and showcase various documents. These forms and requirements for each of the nine licenses can be found in detail on the BGC's website. In addition to this, there are five restrictive measures that BGC requires you to take in order to make sure that licenses are only awarded to applicants who want to preserve the international reputation of Belgium as an online gambling hub:
- Residence in Belgium: Operators wanting to offer their services to Belgium gamblers must be residents of Belgium, the European Union, or the European Economic Area. In case of the company is foreign, it must appoint a local director, whose operation is in Belgium - to deal with the authorities in the country and have the power to conclude contracts on its behalf.
- Obtaining a Belgian bank account: Banking with one of the banks in Belgium where the operator would need to deposit the players’ money is imperative.
- Fee: Must provide proof of financial stability by guaranteeing to pay the BGC a fee of €250,000.
- Monthly declarations: These should give details regarding income from changing games and the fees due using the documentation provided. The BGC prioritizes compliance with the principles regarding player protection. Compliance with the content of the promotional material used and the locations where it is displayed is imperative.
Pros and cons of Applying for a Belgian Gambling License
By being able to identify the advantages and disadvantages of various gambling licenses, you can weigh the options of various opportunities in Belgium to find a license that suits you best.
| ros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Trusted since 1999 | 🕒 Slow application approval process |
| ✅ Offers 9 different gambling licenses | 📜 Stringent requirements for license approval |
| ✅ Prioritizes players' mental health and financial well-being | 💸 11% gross revenue tax on gambling funds received from patrons at online casinos |
| 🚫 €200 playing limit |
Domestic Laws and Restrictions Set by the Belgian Gaming Commission
Many times unlicensed international online casinos market to the Belgian population. In fact, these illegal online casino platforms attempt to reach gamblers throughout Europe without obtaining the proper licensing. Lack of regulation is one reason that illegal online casinos are generally successful at infiltrating the digital gambling markets in Europe without licensure. However, Belgian regulators are sparing no expense in blacklisting unlicensed casinos. Here are a few domestic laws and restrictions set out by the BGC:
- Any operator providing services in the region without a license runs the risk of getting hit with a hefty fine up to €100,000. Operators must have a licensed land-based casino to qualify for an online casino license.
- Only land-based casinos may also operate online. While some land-based casino operations partner with existing online businesses, regulations require that the server hosting online casinos be located in Belgium.
- BGC regulations restrict international casinos without a Belgian presence from operating legally.
- Gamblers are likewise responsible for ensuring that the online casino is licensed. Players who frequent unlicensed online casinos risk being fined €25,000.
- Belgium’s online gambling regulations are strict for both operators and players to ensure the system's integrity. A lack of knowledge about the gambling landscape is not an excuse for circumventing fines related to illegal gambling.
- Online casino operators must provide proof of financial stability by guaranteeing to pay the Commission an equal € 250,000 fee.
- All licensed casinos operating on the web must also pay an 11% gross revenue tax on gambling funds received from patrons. Other licensing requirements for online casinos include operating with integrity, transparent fees, and gambling addiction prevention.
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FAQ
Is gambling legal in Belgium?
Yes. Land-based gambling has been considered as legal entertainment in Belgium since 1999, while online gambling has been legal since 2011.
How do I get a gambling license in Belgium?
In order to obtain a gambling license in Belgium, you can apply electronically through the BGC via their website. Each license type has a different application form, so be sure to fill out the correct one.
Can you gamble online in Belgium?
Yes. There are many trustworthy and legal online gambling sites in Belgium. We recommend using Wolfy Casino or Unibet.
Does Belgium tax gambling winnings?
Winnings from any games of chance are exempt from tax in Belgium. However, there is a gaming or gambling tax required to be paid by players. A number of games are excluded for this, but not all of them. For example, there is no gambling tax for Belgian lottery players, but they do have to pay a tax on their winnings in an online casino. The gambling tax in Belgium is set at 11%. However, players don’t have to pay these taxes themselves, nor file a tax report to the government. Instead, Belgian online casinos deduct this tax rate at the source.
Are there casinos in Belgium?
Yes. There are many land-based and online options for casino players in Belgium.
How old do you have to be to gamble in Belgium?
Belgian law requires you to be the legal age of 21 to gamble.
