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Luxembourg vs Belgium and France: Three models for gambling regulation
Luxembourg, Belgium and France are neighbours with very different approaches to gambling. If Belgium is developing a tightly regulated multi-operator market, France is a mixed model (state monopolies in lotto/horse racing + competition in online betting and poker), then Luxembourg retains a narrow and monopolized perimeter. Below is a system comparison of key blocks: licenses, online, advertising, player protection and payments.
1) Market architecture and licenses
Luxembourg
The basic principle: "everything is prohibited, except for the explicitly permitted."
Offline: one Casino 2000 (Mondorf-les-Bains).
Lottery/sports: Loterie Nationale (state operator). Private licenses are few and issue them targeted.
Belgium
Multi-operator system under the control of the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC).
Bundle "offline → online": A/A +, B/B +, F1/F1 + (casinos, halls, bookmakers). Online permits are tied to land licenses.
France
ANJ regulator (formerly ARJEL for online).
Monopolies: Lottery/Instant Games - FDJ, Horse Racing - PMU.
Competition: online sports betting, poker; online casinos (slots/roulette/blackjack) are prohibited.
2) Online formats: what you can and where
Luxembourg
Online casinos for private operators are not.
Online betting - via LoterieSport (Loterie Nationale platform).
Belgium
Online casinos and bets are allowed if there is a link with offline (A +/B +/F1 +).
Hard KYC/itsme, centralized self-exclusion EPIS.
France
Allowed: online sports betting, online poker.
Prohibited: online casino games (slots, roulette, board games against the bank).
FIJ centralized self-exclusion (fichier des interdits de jeux).
3) Advertising and sponsorship
Luxembourg
Restrained communication of the state operator; aggressive marketing is not typical.
Belgium
Sharp tightening: bans on media from 2023, ban on stadium advertising from 2025, sponsorship withdrawal from professional sports by 2028
France
Strict ANJ rules: tone/volume restrictions, bonus control and targeting; sports partnerships are allowed when fulfilling the requirements of "jeu responsible."
4) Player protection and compliance
Luxembourg
Age thresholds, KYC, denied entry/self-exclusion mechanisms for authorized operators; emphasis on moderation.
Belgium
EPIS (unified register of online/offline self-exclusion), default deposit limits with instant reduction and "cooling" upon increase, strict UX without "dark patterns."
France
FIJ (self-exclusion), age 18 +, mandatory KYC before deposit, bonus caps and aggressive communication; emphasis on risk warnings.
5) Payments and finance
Luxembourg
Online payments under Loterie Nationale; transparent reporting and restrained promos.
Belgium
Replenishment without credit cards (prohibition), local rails (Bancontact/Payconiq), enhanced anti-fraud and RG telemetry.
France
Bank cards and trusted providers are acceptable; mandatory segregation of client funds and reporting to ANJ.
6) The role of the state
Luxembourg - state dominance: monopoly in lotteries/online betting, single land casino; "narrow but transparent" outline.
Belgium is a state as a strict arbiter over a competitive market; high density of rules and inspections.
France - hybrid: state monopolies (FDJ/PMU) + competitive online betting/poker under the strict supervision of ANJ.
7) Pros and cons for the consumer
Luxembourg
Pros: simple navigation ("officially - at the lottery"), a high level of control and social mission.
Cons: narrow assortment, lack of private online casinos, risk of some demand going offshore.
Belgium
Pros: a wide selection of legal online products with strong protection (EPIS, limits).
Cons: tough advertising/sponsorship → less visibility of offers; strict limits are not convenient for everyone.
France
Pros: large selection of licensed online bookmakers and poker, clear ANJ rules.
Cons: No legal online casino games; bonus and advertising restrictions.
8) Who fits which model
Luxembourg - for a state-centric approach with a focus on social returns and risk minimization.
Belgium - for a mature "white" market with a full line (including online casinos), but with maximum compliance.
France - to balance monopolies and competition: online sports betting/poker - yes, online casino games - no.
9) Forecast 2025-2030
Luxembourg: maintaining the status quo; point refinements of procedures (KYC/AML/data) are possible, without expanding private online.
Belgium: "responsibility-by-default" will deepen (affordability-checks, anti-gray perimeter), advertising will remain banned.
France: ANJ stable scheme; probably further calibration of advertising/bonuses and strengthening of RG and FIJ tools.
Three countries - three strategies. Luxembourg holds a narrow, secure and state-run perimeter. Belgium is developing a complete set of offline/online products under strict supervision and with advanced protective mechanisms. France combines monopolies and competition, but fundamentally does not allow online casino games. For business, this means different barriers to entry and growth models, for players - different levels of choice and different "security profiles."