Belgium: 60% of Bettors Now Use Illegal Sites
In Belgium, the gambling sector is undergoing a period of significant change. According to a recent study commissioned by a legal operator, a majority of Belgian players are now turning to unauthorized online platforms. In fact, approximately 60% of total online betting traffic is currently estimated to involve illegal sites.
This situation is described by some experts as a true "Wild West." This means that these sites operate without complying with Belgian laws and without any official license. Unlike legal operators, these platforms are not controlled by the Gaming Commission, creating an environment where rules are not always enforced.
The study shows that these sites attract customers with offers that are often more generous or conditions that are less strict than those in the regulated market. However, this growing popularity poses a major problem for the state and for companies that follow the law. The latter must pay taxes and adhere to rigorous security protocols, which sometimes makes them less competitive against illegal sites.
Using these unauthorized platforms is not without risk for bettors. Since they are not monitored, there is no guarantee of recovering one's money in the event of a dispute. Furthermore, these sites do not always provide the necessary tools to prevent gambling addiction, which can put vulnerable individuals at financial and psychological risk.
Faced with this massive increase in illegal gambling, authorities and industry stakeholders are concerned about the future of the market in Belgium. It has become essential to raise public awareness about the dangers of unregulated sites to ensure safer and better-supervised gambling practices for all citizens.