Belgium is currently witnessing a surge in black market gambling operations that may undermine the country’s regulated gambling ecosystem.
The Belgian Association of Gaming Operators () is ramping up its efforts and calling for stricter enforcement against illegal platforms, warning of their serious risks to consumers, especially young people.
According to BAGO, illegal online gambling sites operate outside Belgian legislation and threaten the integrity of the market on numerous fronts. These platforms often bypass important safeguards like age verification and addiction prevention measures. They also do not pay taxes and create an unfair competition to licenced entities.
Social media and sports sponsorships are often used by such operators to lure in players, particularly young adults. This helps them enhance their market presence.
Young and vulnerable individuals are often especially at risk because of such lack of safeguards and regulation. This puts them more at risk of gambling harm despite initiatives by the Belgian government to protect its youth.
Young men increasingly active on illegal sites
BAGO noted a recent study by licenced operators which highlighted the popularity of unregulated platforms among young people in the country. The study found nearly 50 percent of men between the age of 18 and 21 were active on illegal gambling sites.
About 29 percent of young men named a black market site when asked to name a gambling brand. This compares to just 4 percent in the general player population.
The study results also found that nearly 31 percent of young players were introduced to illegal operators via social media while 26 percent through sports sponsorships.
BAGO Chairman Tom De Clercq noted the increasing influence of social media and how it helps market these services to a broader audience, especially the younger one.
“Young people have increasingly easy access to illegal gambling sites, which attract them with tempting bonuses, but which also jeopardise the privacy and security of personal data.”
In September, the Belgian government raised the legal gambling age to 21, which aimed to strengthen player safeguards. However, with the current scenario, it turns out that the ban may have inadvertently pushed many young people to venture into the unregulated market.
The prevalence of illegal platforms, as noted by De Clercq, could undermine the government’s hard work toward improving consumer protections.
“These platforms not only increase the risk of gambling addiction but also undermine confidence in a safe, regulated gambling market,” he said.
Such a prevalence of black-market platforms calls for a new, more comprehensive approach by the government. BAGO has urged authorities to double down their efforts and introduce stricter enforcement, while also working on raising public awareness via campaigns and more.
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