Belgium discusses gaming bills

The Belgian parliament discussed two gambling bills that would introduce further restrictions.

Belgium.- The parliament from Belgium discussed yesterday night the two bills that would present further restrictions to the gambling industry. Both bills were introduced in the last couple of months by the CDV and the Justice Minister.

Whilst Koen Geens, Justice Minister of Belgium, proposed last month the prohibition on advertising gambling products on television before 8 pm, and ads completely blocked during live sports events, the Christian Democratic and Flemish Party (CDV) has joined the request in order to reduce gambling in the country. The CDV also discussed the possibility of increasing the minimum age for internet gambling from 18 to 21, and match it with the current regulations that casinos work with.

Earlier this month, 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.