Belgian Gambling Service Providers Are Against the New Weekly Deposit Cap

24.04.2020, 18:58

Online gambling providers in Belgium are going to appeal the resolution of the Belgian Gambling Commission (BGC) of introducing a new weekly deposit limit. BGC decided to enforce a cap of a maximum of €500 per user. The restriction will apply to all gambling platforms with a license in Belgium. Besides this, according to the Commission’s decision, casino clients have the right to request a lower limit. The cap is not able to increase, even if the player has sufficient funds and can prove it.

The Belgian Association of Gambling Operators (BAGO) has openly shown discontent with the Commission’s new measures. Members of BAGO are going to appeal to the new limitation.

The Reasons Behind BAGO’s Appeal

Ardent Group’s BAGO CEO and president, Emmanuel Mewissen, mentioned that the Belgian gambling operators were furious about BGC’s decision and the fact that the Commission did not find it necessary to consult the licensees. Thus, BAGO representatives are preparing to submit an appeal with the Belgian Council of State regarding the €500 weekly deposit limit.

Mewissen also mentioned that what started as BGC’s pursuit of protecting underaged users and other vulnerable customer groups can result in the shift of the customer base to internationally approved gambling websites whose policies BGC will not be able to control.

According to the information provided by the Commission, the primary reason for introducing the weekly deposit limit is to enhance the customers’ safety online. The BGC was trying to focus on the user groups that often become victims of abusive betting, as people with unhealthy financial behavior tend to spend more money than they can afford.

The reason for BAGO’s disappointment, however, is the generalization of the restriction. The limitation does not make any distinction between responsible users and players who cannot control their gambling habits.

The Current Situation in the Belgian Gambling Industry

Earlier this month, BGC published advice to foster consumer protection from potential harm related to gambling. The authority stated that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, a lot of citizens might be spending more time online, particularly on gambling sites. BGC encouraged people who are concerned about their gambling behavior to call the “SOS Jeux” helpline and seek professional consultation about their issues.

BGC also mentioned that not only is there a higher risk for experienced users’ existing addictions to worsen, but also for newcomers to develop one during the quarantine due to the lack of socialization. Thus, BGC suggested communicating with friends and family via the internet to reduce the feeling of loneliness.

Koen Greens, the Minister of Justice, stated that the online gambling industry has been experiencing a drastic decrease in Belgium, dropping its indices by 38%. The sales of the National Lottery have also reduced by 30%. Greens shared that the deterioration is partly due to the postponement or cancellation of major sporting events that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said that the current situation provokes anxiety even in experienced gamblers and discourages them from participating in online casino games.