Key Highlights
Contents
- Total gambling revenue in Belgium decreased by 4.86% to €1.61 billion during 2024, marking the first annual contraction since 2020
- Physical gambling venues experienced the steepest losses at 7.59%, with digital platforms down 2.7%
- Traditional casino operations stood out as the only sector posting gains, climbing 7.32% to reach €638.45 million
- New legislation raising the minimum age to 21, eliminating promotional offers, and restricting marketing contributed significantly to the downturn
- Authorities expressed uncertainty about whether tightened regulations have inadvertently driven gamblers to unlicensed platforms
For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic disrupted global markets, Belgium’s licensed gambling industry contracted in 2024. Fresh figures from the nation’s gambling authority reveal that total gross gaming revenue across authorized operators decreased by 4.86% compared to the previous year, settling at €1.61 billion.
This reversal follows a sustained period of expansion. Digital gambling revenue had skyrocketed by approximately 60% from 2020 through 2023, with 2023 alone delivering an 18% increase.
That upward trajectory came to an abrupt halt last year. Digital gaming revenue, representing 57.1% of the entire market, fell 2.7% to €919.10 million.
Traditional brick-and-mortar operations suffered more severe losses. Revenue from physical gambling establishments plummeted 7.59% to €690.41 million.
According to regulatory officials, a comprehensive package of compliance measures implemented starting in 2023 primarily accounts for the market contraction.
Sweeping Regulatory Reforms Transform Industry Landscape
One of the most significant policy changes involved prohibiting cumulative-site operations. Gaming companies can no longer bundle products from different licence categories onto one digital platform. Arcade licence holders bore the brunt of this restriction.
Several operators responded by relocating their products to casino or sportsbook platforms. This maneuver merely redistributed revenue across licence types without expanding the market’s total size.
Belgium additionally elevated its legal gambling age from 18 to 21 years. Promotional bonuses were completely prohibited. Marketing guidelines became substantially more stringent. Compulsory identification verification and Epis validation procedures were instituted.
Recent attention has focused on advertising enforcement. Belgian authorities initiated inquiries into marketing campaigns featuring prominent footballer Eden Hazard.
The arcade category witnessed an 11.95% revenue decline to €384.75 million. Digital arcade activity collapsed by 23.8%, despite offline arcade operations growing 4.24%.
Low-stakes gaming suffered even greater damage. This segment’s revenue plunged 21.71% to €222 million. Café-based bingo operations declined 24.7%.
Sports wagering revenue decreased 6.59% overall to €364.3 million. Physical betting locations dropped 13.58%, while digital sports betting fell a comparatively moderate 2.11%.
Traditional Casinos Stand as Exception to Decline
The casino sector emerged as the singular bright spot showing genuine expansion. Casino revenue increased 7.32% to €638.45 million. Digital casino platforms generated roughly three-quarters of this figure.
Physical casino revenue expanded 3.7%. Digital casino operations climbed 8.7%.
Sports wagering conducted within casino environments grew 4%. However, horse racing wagers collapsed 32.8%, and alternative betting categories plummeted 44.7%.
Physical betting establishments faced particularly harsh conditions. The total number of betting shop licenses contracted from 535 to 408 across a two-year span, fueling a 17.9% reduction in betting shop revenue.
Regulatory authorities conceded that while the enhanced regulations aimed to bolster responsible gambling practices, they simultaneously dampened market expansion. Officials also acknowledged lingering uncertainty about whether these measures have genuinely enhanced player safeguards.
Concerns persist that certain players may have migrated toward unlicensed gambling channels. The regulator emphasized the critical need for immediate research to establish whether such a migration is occurring.
Authorities explained that delays in releasing 2024 data stemmed from modifications to financial reporting protocols and insufficient staffing within the financial oversight division. Market statistics for 2025 are anticipated to be published according to the standard schedule.
