Belgium proposes gambling restrictions

The opposition party from Belgium has reportedly proposed better restrictions on licensed gambling.

Belgium.- Belgium’s opposition party, Christian Democratic and Flemish Party (CDV), has proposed more restrictions on the country’s legal gambling industry. Party officials asked to increase the legal age from 18 to 21.

The push includes the age limit on all forms of gambling, such as sports betting, casino and lottery services. Last month, the Justice Minister of Belgium Koen Geens proposed a prohibition on advertising gambling products on television before 8 pm, and the ads would be completely blocked during live sports events. The proposal establishes that the ads cannot be seen on screen banners during games or even in traditional commercials during game breaks or traditional TV. Koen Geen also proposed the implementation of obligatory problem gambling warnings in marketing campaigns, and a severe consequence for those who don’t follow the rules.

MPs from the CDV party also called for a review of the 2009 Gambling Act, as they believe that its effectiveness should be revised after a significant increase in the number of international operators in the country. Whilst last month’s push was allegedly fully supported by the Belgium Gaming Commission (BGC), the gambling restrictions are backed by lawmakers from the parliament’s parties.

Belgium’s government also set a different gaming legislation on July 2016, by adding the Value-Added Tax –VAT– to online gambling services. The decision ended with the VAT exemption the industry had been under.