Compliance Updates
BAGO Welcomes Positive Developments in Young People’s Gambling Behaviour, But Calls for Stricter Controls

BAGO, the Belgian federation of private gambling operators, is pleased with the latest figures from the Flemish Expertise Centre for Alcohol and other Drugs on the gambling behaviour of young people. In 2023, 12.4% of young people reported having bet on sports at some point, which is a slight decrease compared to the previous year (12.5%). For casino games, we can see a similar slight decrease to 5.3% in 2023 who had ever played (5.5% in 2022).
These figures show a clear stabilisation and even a decrease in the number of young people under 18 who participate in gambling for some games, despite the fact that the survey took place before the introduction of stricter rules on advertising and the increase in the minimum age. BAGO has always advocated an increase in the minimum age to 21 and strongly supports measures to better protect young people.
Despite the ban on gambling for under-18s that has been in place for years – which has been extended to 21 since 1 September – the participation of young people in certain games of chance is still too high. Because recognised providers apply strict age checks and have invested heavily in player protection in recent years, minors mainly gamble on illegal websites or via physical products from the National Lottery. Recent figures, published in L’Echo , show that 60% of the Belgian gambling market consists of unlicensed providers. BAGO therefore advocates stricter controls to ensure that young people under the legal minimum age do not have access to games of chance.
BAGO emphasises that the Gaming Commission must be sufficiently effective to tackle the illegal gambling circuit effectively. In this circuit, minors can still gamble, without any form of protection and there is no age limit. In addition, BAGO finds it illogical that the increase in the minimum age to 21 years does not apply to all National Lottery products and therefore calls for equal protection for young people. In addition to control and equal treatment, prevention is an essential part of keeping young people away from gambling.
-
eSports6 days ago
2025 PUBG MOBILE World Cup Survival Stage set to determine Grand Finalists
-
Asia5 days ago
Uzbekistan Introduces Penalties for Illegal Gambling Operations
-
Africa6 days ago
Rise & Hustle launches tap-to-earn street game platform in Nigeria with real-world rewards
-
Africa6 days ago
SOFTSWISS Launches First South African Project with Mzansibet
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
St8 enters the United Kingdom after securing B2B licence
-
Latest News6 days ago
Betano becomes the new title sponsor of the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
-
Compliance Updates4 days ago
Pollard Banknote Secures License to Supply Gaming-related Goods and Services In the UAE
-
Compliance Updates4 days ago
Isle of Man Government Publishes Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment