KAA Gent Urges BGC to Clarify Betting Advertising Terms

Belgian Jupiler Pro League football club KAA Gent has urged the Belgium Gambling Commission (BGC) to clarify its football marketing advertising conditions undertaken on behalf of betting firms.

KAA Gent offered its fans the opportunity to spend a day training with the first-team players of the club at its fanbase. Fans would have to wager just € 1 on the vertical Napoleon Games to qualify for the competition. BGC flagged the promotion, stating that KAA Gent had violated the conditions of the Royal Decree of Belgium, which sanctioned Belgian media operators with strict betting advertising conditions.

“Gamble in moderation! Must stand. Offering bonuses involve various dangers for the gambler. For example, new players can be encouraged to start gambling or existing players to start gambling again,” Justice Minister Koen Geens said.

He stressed that the marketing infringement of KAA Gent would be used as an example of additional advertising measures needed when the Belgian ministers reviewed the Royal Decree.

Napoleon Games Chief Executive Tom De Clercq responded to the criticism of Geens, stating that the marketing department of operators and KAA Gent had developed the award campaign in line with the advertising standards of the Royal Decree.