Study shows half of Belgian players aged 18-21 play at illegal gambling sites

A new study commissioned by the Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BOGA) has highlighted that a large number of players in the country are participating in the illegal gambling market.

According to the association, half of the young men surveyed, who are between the ages of 18 and 21, have participated in an unregulated form of gambling, and are familiar with "illegal gambling sites."

BOGA sounds alarm over U-21 participation in illegal gambling

This is particularly important, reckons the association, as of September 1, 2024, people under the age of 21 are not allowed to gamble legally, which will further compound the issue, BOGA believes.

Commenting on the study’s results, Tom de Clercq, Chairman of BAGO, said that restricting people under the age of 21 will not diminish the power of the black market. In fact, De Clercq argues that because licensed operators are obligated to operate to strict limits, the black-market operators will continue to gain market share as they are not operating under the same laws.

The fact that regulated operators are obligated to maintain age checks will further push a growing number of players into the grasp of black-market operations as well, adds De Clercq.

"Because licensed providers apply strict age checks and focus strongly on player protection, young people are turning to illegal sites. It is of great importance that the approach to illegal gambling websites is tightened up to stop this development," a translated statement from BOGA’s website read.

The survey provided some specific details about what these players’ gambling habits were. The survey asked of respondents to name one gambling brand – 29% of men aged 18-21 named an illegal gambling operator.

Unlicensed gambling brands in Belgium enjoy high recognition

When asked to name a second brand, the percentage of gamblers in that age group citing an unregulated gambling operator in Belgium rose to 59%. BOGA said that when presented with a list of gambling brands and asked if they recognized them, 85% of respondents recognized not regulated gambling brands.

"The high recognizability of illegal gambling operators among young men between 18 and 21 years old is mainly due to the persuasive power of social media. You only have to open your social media app, and you are overwhelmed by advertisements from illegal gambling sites.

These unlicensed gambling brands have a dominant presence on these channels that are especially popular among young people," BAGO Vice Chairman Emmanuel Mewissen said, outlining the dangers faced by consumers in the country following the ban.

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