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Basic Law: Gambling Act 1999, 2011 and 2019 reforms
The Belgian model of gambling regulation is considered one of the most consistent in the EU: it relies on the Gambling Act 1999 (Gaming Act), the centralized supervision of the Kansspelcommissie/Commission des jeux de hasard (KSC/CJH) and the evolution of norms in the 2010s. Key turning points - 2011 (legalization of online through "plus-licenses" tied to the ground) and 2019 (package of advertising restrictions, increased compliance and protection of players).
1) 1999 framework: what enshrined the basic law
Institutions and principles
A single regulator has been created - KSC, responsible for licensing, supervision, sanctions and methodological explanations.
A list of license classes and basic requirements for age, geography and financial control have been introduced.
License Classes (Simplified)
A - full-format casinos (tables + machines) in permitted cities/resorts.
B - gaming salons with limited types of machines.
C - machines in bars/cafes (strictly limited in number and characteristics).
E - production/distribution of equipment.
F1/F2 - bookmaking activities (operator and betting points).
Player protection and control
Age thresholds: traditionally 21 + for casinos; 18 + - for bets and lotteries.
Identification and access: verification of identity when entering land-based casinos/parlors; for the online segment, this later morphs into strict KYC.
EPIS is a national exclusion system (self-exclusion/prohibition by decision of third parties) using offline and online.
AML/CTF: obligation to monitor payments and report suspicious transactions.
2) Reform 2011: "online through offline" and technological standards
Belgium did not create a separate "digital" licensing circuit, but fastened it online to the ground: Plus-licenses:- A + - online casino (only for holder A).
- B + - online game hall (for holder B).
- F1 + - online bookmaker (for F1 holder).
- Technical and organizational requirements: placing critical infrastructure and logs available for KSC; full KYC, maintaining game and payment logs, interfaces with visible limits and clear rules.
- Responsibility and connection with EPIS: the operator is obliged to check the status of the player before admission to the game; self-exclusion applies to all license products.
- Advertising and bonuses: the framework of "moderate" communication is being introduced (clear conditions, a ban on misleading tone), which will be significantly tightened in 2019.
The meaning of the model: only those who have already proven compliance with standards offline can go online - with a reputation, process control and financial transparency.
3) Reform 2019: tougher advertising, stronger KYC/AML, more accountability
The second major step is a package of measures aimed at reducing the vulnerability of young people and vulnerable groups, as well as increasing transparency:- Advertising and Marketing
Tightening time windows and advertising content, additional prohibitions in sports broadcasts and near events with a youth audience.
Increased requirements for tone and transparency of bonuses (without "quick money," clear conditions for wagering, lack of "dark patterns").
Expanding the responsibility of affiliates: affiliate channels fall under the same rules as the operator itself.
CCM/Responsible Play
Strict identity verification prior to admission to betting/gaming; ban on playing if in EPIS.
Self-monitoring tools in the interface: deposit/loss/time limits, "cooling periods" with increasing limits, an understandable path to self-exclusion.
More detailed logging of duty of care interventions (contact with the player, notifications, escalations).
AML/Payments
Tightened control of the source of funds with increased activity; transaction scoring and reporting.
Transparent SLA requirements for payments and returns to the original method where possible.
4) How everything works together: offline, online and EPIS
Single Box: Offline Reputation + Online Technology = Single Standard of Protection.
EPIS - "central switch": a player entered in the register cannot play either in a casino or online with legal operators.
KSC supervision: scheduled and unscheduled inspections, block lists of illegal domains, sanctions for advertising violations, KYC/AML and technical regulations.
5) Practical checklist for operator in Belgium
1. License "from the base": online only through the appropriate A/B/F1 and "plus-license" A +/B +/F1 +.
2. EPIS integration: status check at each login; a fast track to self-exclusion in UI.
3. KYC/AML by default: identification, transaction monitoring, evidence base of sources of funds, reporting.
4. Responsible UX: limits and timers in a prominent place; "cooling" when increasing limits; the lack of "almost won" and obsessive effects.
5. Advertising = "compliance content": only in permitted channels/windows, without heroization of winnings, with understandable promo conditions; full control of affiliates.
6. Technical accessibility: storage of critical logs and documentation in the KSC control area; readiness for audits.
6) What it means for the player
Legality is easy to verify: licensed sites have KSC details and a link to EPIS; Onshore sites have valid A/B/C licenses.
Secure access: Online will be asked to confirm your identity before the game - this is protection against fraud and underage access.
Control tools: limits, timeouts, transparent rules and bonus cards; at signs of overheating - self-exclusion via EPIS.
7) The bottom line
Gambling Act 1999 created a rigid but understandable basis in Belgium: license classes, geography, age, EPIS and the role of KSC. The 2011 reform turned offline reliability into online law through A +/B +/F1 + and technology standards. The 2019 package brought the ecosystem to mind: strict advertising, UX "responsible by default" and enhanced KYC/AML. At the exit - a stable regulated market, where innovation is possible just as much as they are subordinate to transparency and player protection.