Comparison with the Netherlands and France

Short: Three different philosophies

Belgium (BGC): "online follows offline" (plus A +/B +/F1 + licenses), a single EPIS self-exclusion database, hard advertising and a standard deposit limit of €200/week per site; active blocking of illegal immigrants.

Netherlands (KSA): the market is open from 2021 (KOA), mandatory verification in CRUKS, from July 1, 2023 - the prohibition of "non-targeted" advertising; the ban on sports sponsorship by 2025 was gradually completed. Strict "duty of care," but without a generally mandatory fixed depot limit as in Belgium.

France (ANJ): Online allowed sports betting, horse racing betting and poker; online casino games (slots/roulette) are not legalized. Strong oversight of advertising and RG policies; for self-exclusion, there is a national procedure through the ANJ.

1) What exactly is allowed online

Belgium: A + (online casinos), B + (online gambling halls/slots), F1 + (online betting) - only as a "plus" to offline rights. Quotas and a "closed" system of licenses are holding back the growth of the number of operators.

Netherlands: after the entry of KOA (2021) - full licenses for remote gambling when connected to CRUKS and fulfilling the requirements of KSA.

France: online market according to the 2010 law - without online casinos; poker, sports and horse racing (with ANJ control role) are allowed.

Conclusion: Belgium and the Netherlands allow online casinos (in NL - as part of "remote games"), France - not, limited to poker/betting.

2) Self-exclusion and access

Belgium - EPIS: centralized base of excluded; check in offline and online.

Netherlands - CRUKS: connection is mandatory for all licensees; player check-in and check-in.

France: national online voluntary ban procedure via ANJ.

Practice: all three jurisdictions build a "single gate" to the market, but EPIS/CRUKS are technologically integrated into the admission wider (mandatory everywhere), which makes BE/NL more "tough" in checking entry.

3) Advertising and sports sponsorship

Belgium: since 2023 - a large-scale ban on advertising (TV/radio/print/outdoor/online) and a consistent "clamping" of sports. The regulator is conducting preventive campaigns.

Netherlands: July 1, 2023 - decree banning untargeted online advertising; in 2025, the ban on sports sponsorship (including football, uniforms, partnerships) was completed.

France: strict ANJ rules and controls; limited formats with warnings and RG requirements are allowed (the frame is changed by ANJ regulations and guides).

Difference: Belgium is closer to "total" anti-marketing; The Netherlands - to "smart" targeting with the prohibition of non-targeted channels + the actual curtailment of sports by 2025; France retains a more "engineering" approach with acceptable formats for allowed verticals.

4) Limits and financial protection

Belgium: basic limit of €200/week per site (can only be increased after checks); this is a uniquely tough norm among large EU markets.

Netherlands: instead of a "hard" limit, there is a duty of care operator (early detection of risks, interventions, limits and checks on the player's profile); According to the law, there is no centralized fix cap limit.

France: financial restrictions and RG instruments are determined through ANJ regulatory guides and conditions for permitted verticals; there is no unified "€200/week."

5) Fighting illegal supply

Belgium: "black list" and blocking domains/payments; regular updates of the list.

Netherlands: Increased oversight of KSA, fines and stringent requirements for attraction channels after the ban on "untargeted ads."

France: ANJ controls and suppresses unlicensed proposal within national competence and judicial procedures.

6) What to choose for the operator and what the player gets

To operators

Belgium: high entry bar (offline base + A +/B +/F1 +), strict advertising and hard deposit limit = strong emphasis on RG/compliance and a sustainable unit economy.

Netherlands: technologically "transparent" model (CRUKS, target rules, duty of care), but sensitive to marketing after 2023-2025.

France: the market is possible for betting/poker, without online casinos - the product matrix is already by definition.

To players

Belgium: maximum "airbag" through EPIS and fix limit €200/week.

Netherlands: strict access through CRUKS and active operator interventions; advertising is noticeably "muted."

France: ANJ controlled betting/poker available; online casinos are not legally available.

Bottom line: in 2025, Belgium remains the standard of the "hard" model (EPIS + €200/week + anti-advertising), the Netherlands is an example of an "adaptive" model with CRUKS and targeted advertising (but sports sponsorship is already "off"), France is a "selective" model with a ban on online casinos and an emphasis on betting/poker under the supervision of ANJ. This triad provides a full range of options for brand exit and positioning strategies.