The Best Online Betting Sites in Belgium for 2024

Is Online Betting Legal in Belgium?

Belgium has certainly gone against the general trend of increased liberalisation towards online gaming in recent years. Whilst many European countries are reducing barriers to online betting and are adopting a more welcoming approach, Belgium has slapped severe restrictions on its citizens and bookmaking companies. This stance is surprising, particularly as the approach adopted prior to the changes in 2011 was a liberal one.

Belgians Have Been Betting Since the 1400s

Belgium is a country with a rich tradition of gambling. In one guise or another, the National Lottery dates to the 15th century, and a betting culture has continued to manifest itself in Belgian society throughout the years, with horse racing and casinos gaining increasing popularity in recent times.

Many betting shops are available in Belgium. British giant Ladbrokes has maintained a presence within the country since the 1980s, with the ‘Magic Sign’ visible in nearly 440 locations.

Online gambling was legalised in Belgium in 2002, when many other European countries were banning online betting activity. The population enjoyed several years of unmonitored and unrestricted betting activity in Belgium until there was a noticeable change in policy, drawn up in the Gambling Act 2009.

Stricter Online Regulation

O 1 January 2011, new Belgian gambling legislation came into force. This included strict regulation of online gaming, with a closed licencing system. Online licences were limited to nine for casinos, 180 for gaming arcades and 34 for betting.

Another stipulation for online operators was that they had to maintain a physical connection in Belgium, such as setting up land-based servers and getting a land-based licence. Only those companies who operated in Belgium could accept bets online.

Any individuals or companies promoting unlicensed gambling services to Belgian citizens, through marketing, affiliates schemes and so on, would face criminal sanctions.

This stance was challenged in court by Betfair, but the legislation was upheld and the prohibition of operation remains. Companies flaunting the law and operating in Belgium may face fines of up to €25,000, which can rise to €100,000 if they continue offering their services.

How Betting Sites Secure a Licence in Belgium

Any betting site in Belgium, or bookmaker Belgique, that decides they want an official gambling licence will need to go through the Gaming Commission, or ‘Kansspelcommissie’. Casinos need a ‘licence A’, but all online betting sites in Belgium must go a step further and secure a ‘licence A+’.

As mentioned, foreigner sites can’t operate freely in Belgium, so the company will need a residence in the country. The application process can cost around half a million euros.

Depositing at Sports Betting Sites in Belgium

Citizens in Belgium have access to a plethora of different payment options for their betting activities. Debit and credit cards are obviously the most popular, but PayPal, NETELLER, Paysafecard, Skrill, Western Union and bank transfer are also options with the best bookmakers in Belgium.

As most betting websites that are accessible are now licenced in Belgium, there are few issues and restrictions when funding an account. But to make the process even smoother, you might want to consider payment methods which are popular locally.

For example, Bancontact Mobile is available as a deposit option at most sites. And if you’re into crypto sports betting, there are plenty of Belgium-based sites which allow you to use Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other increasingly popular cryptocurrencies.

Do You Pay Taxes on Winnings in Belgium?

Tax on gambling winnings in Belgium is somewhat of a grey area. Most sources suggest that like in line with most of Europe, money earned through gambling is tax-free. However, the Belgian Treasury argued that any “occasional or accidental winnings outside of a professional activity“, thus including play winnings, are subject to taxation of “various income” at a rate of 33%.

This interpretation of the law has been disputed by the BCG, who claim players are not subject to any taxation on winnings.

The reality is that tax rates in Belgium are set by region, of which there are three: Walloon, Flemish, and Brussels-Capital. It’s subject to change, but the tax rate is set at 11% gross margin for online gambling at the time of writing. Certain bets in Belgium also fall outside of the Gaming Act, including lotteries, which can operate tax-free.

Final Thoughts on Betting Online in Belgium

The Gaming Commission set a precedent when declaring strict new regulations on online betting in Belgium, as part of the Gambling Act 2009. The prohibition of Belgian customers using unlicensed websites was greeted with derision and resistance from the bookmaking fraternity, but several trips to court have resulted in favourable outcomes for the BGC.

With major firms such as Bwin and Betfair now accepting the rules by which they can hold a Belgian gaming licence, the number of bookmakers Belgian citizens can use has expanded.

Not having access to major football betting sites such as 188Bet will be detrimental for those who bet big and take their betting seriously. But for the recreational gambler, there is plenty of choice for horse racing, football and NBA betting in Belgium.