Belgian Gaming Commission starts an industry consultation on recent ad restrictions

The Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) started a review on the advertising restrictions that became effective as from June 1, 2019, seeking to toughen up Belgian’s national gambling laws protecting consumers and vulnerable audiences, as a part of CDV Minister Koen Greens original ‘five-point cross-party’ mandate published in June 2017,

The measures came after Belgian government found online gambling advertising to be “ubiquitous,” with more than 1 million users identifying with registered providers. Approved as a Royal Decree by the Belgian Kamer, the BGC enforces an outright ban on advertising of betting services during sports broadcasts.

Belgium licensed sportsbook operators have been limited to advertising during a post-8pm watershed, with the BGC adding further restrictions on the number of TV adverts allowed to be broadcast by TV networks. Advertisements for sportsbooks may not be shown during live sports broadcasts, although they are allowed before and after the start of the event. There is also a fifteen-minute window on either hand of programs directed at kids or young individuals in which no advertisements can be displayed.

Promotion of prizes anywhere but the operator’s website has also been forbidden, while offers to repay players for damages are also forbidden. In addition, players have also been set a €500 weekly spending cap, which can be lowered with immediate effect. Players can request a spending limit increase, providing they wait three days until it is implemented, since for it to be approved, a credit check must take place.

All advertisements must also bear the “Jouez avec modération” (Play in moderation) message, which must account for at least 4 percent of the advert space.

Operators were requested to submit their remarks and suggestions to the BGC by 4 October. Observations are permitted by the sub-commission for October 15, but attendance must be confirmed by October 11.