Legal Casinos in Belgium: How to Verify an Operator

In 2024, more than 1,000 illegal gambling sites remained accessible from Belgium, according to a study by the professional association of betting agencies reported by La Libre.

For a Belgian player, this is therefore not a minor issue. Knowing how to distinguish a legal online casino from an illegal site means ensuring that your deposits are protected, that your withdrawals will be processed, and that the operator complies with player protection rules.

This guide explains what Belgian law says, which types of licences exist, and, most importantly, how to check in three steps whether an online casino is properly regulated by the Belgian Gaming Commission.

What is a legal online casino in Belgium?

A legal online casino in Belgium is an operator that holds a licence issued by the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC), the public authority responsible for regulating the sector.

The Commission operates under the authority of FPS Justice and applies the Act of 7 May 1999 on games of chance, betting, gaming establishments and the protection of players.

The principle is simple: without a Belgian licence, a website cannot legally offer gambling services to a player residing in Belgium. Whether the operator is based in Malta, Curaçao or Gibraltar makes no difference. If it has not obtained a licence in Belgium, its activities are considered illegal within Belgian territory.

Belgian regulation imposes several practical safeguards:

• A minimum age of 21 to access an online casino

• Mandatory identity verification when opening an account

• A deposit limit governed by Royal Decree

• An exclusion register available to players who wish to protect themselves

• Transparency obligations regarding the games offered

This framework is not intended to make life more difficult for players. It exists to ensure that deposits can be recovered, that there is an authority to contact in the event of a dispute, and that an operator experiencing difficulties cannot simply disappear with your money.

The A, B, C, D, E and F1/2 licences issued by the Belgian Gaming Commission

Belgian law does not provide for a single online gambling licence. The system is divided according to activity, and each type of licence covers a specific area.

The number of A licences is legally limited to 9 throughout Belgium: 4 in Flanders, in Blankenberge, Knokke, Middelkerke and Ostend, 4 in Wallonia, in Chaudfontaine, Dinant, Namur and Spa, and 1 in Brussels. An A licence is valid for 15 years. Its A+ extension requires a financial guarantee of €250,000 and is renewed at the same time as the parent A licence.

The number of B licences is limited to 180 throughout Belgium, and each licence is valid for 9 years. Its B+ extension requires a financial guarantee of €75,000. A B+ licence can only be requested by an operator that already holds a valid B licence.

These limits have a practical consequence for players: by design, the number of genuinely legal online operators in Belgium is restricted. When a website presents itself as a new platform that has “just opened”, you should immediately check the official register.

For players, the practical conclusion is clear: a legitimate online casino displays its A+ or B+ licence number and the Belgian Gaming Commission logo, usually in the footer.

How to check a licence on the Belgian Gaming Commission whitelist in 3 steps

This is the most useful step, and one that few comparison sites explain in detail. The Belgian Gaming Commission provides free public access to the list of all authorised operators. Three steps are enough to check whether a website is regulated.

Step 1: consult the official whitelist

Visit the Belgian Gaming Commission’s public register for B+ licences:

https://data.gamingcommission.be/licenses/BPLUS/latest/table.html

This page lists, in real time, all holders of a B+ licence that are authorised to offer games within the Belgian regulated framework.

An equivalent page exists for each type of licence at:

https://data.gamingcommission.be/licenses/

The register is updated by the Commission itself.

For example, the B+ table includes operators such as Versailles Casino under licence B+3971, Wellington Casino under licence B+3882 and PlayOne Casino under licence B+12848. Each number is linked to an operating company and an effective date for the authorisation.

Search the list for the name of the operator or its parent company. If it is not included, do not use the website.

Step 2: locate the licence number on the website

Every legal online casino displays its licence number and the Belgian Gaming Commission logo, generally in the footer. The number follows a format such as B+12345 or A+12345.

Check two points:

• The displayed number matches the operator listed in the official register

• The Commission logo is clickable or links to gamingcommission.be

A website that does not display any licence number should be treated as a major warning sign.

Step 3: confirm the .be extension and cross-check the information

Legal online casinos in Belgium are required to operate using a .be domain extension. This is a positive signal, although it is not conclusive on its own. A .com website claiming to operate in Belgium without a .be extension or a Belgian licence number is very likely to be illegitimate.

Always cross-check the commercial name shown on the website, the official licence holder listed in the register and the licence number. All three must be consistent.

If you still have any doubts after completing these three steps, you can contact the Belgian Gaming Commission directly through gamingcommission.be. This is a public and free service.

How to recognise an illegal casino website

The Belgian Gaming Commission also maintains a blacklist of websites offering gambling services in Belgium without authorisation. As of 22 July 2026, this list contained more than 900 blocked websites and is regularly updated. It can be consulted through the official register of illegal websites.

In addition to checking the blacklist, several warning signs can help you quickly identify an unregulated operator:

• No Belgian licence number in the footer

• No Belgian Gaming Commission logo

• Missing 18+ logo

• Payments offered only by credit card or cryptocurrency, with no Bancontact or bank transfer

• No deposit limit mentioned in the terms and conditions

• Unrealistic promises of winnings or gifts when opening an account

• Intensive marketing, unsolicited emails or repeated contact after a request to close an account

• Incomplete terms and conditions, or terms unavailable in Belgium’s national languages

An illegal website is not simply a website opposed by the Commission. It is also an operator that is not accountable to any Belgian authority in the event of a dispute. If your deposit disappears or your winnings are never paid, you have no legal recourse.

The most protective habit therefore remains the same: take thirty seconds to check the licence before creating an account.

What to do if you suspect an illegal website or have a dispute

Beyond prevention, two situations require clear instructions: reporting a suspected illegal website and responding when a regulated operator blocks a withdrawal or an account without explanation.

Reporting an illegal website to the Belgian Gaming Commission

The Belgian Gaming Commission provides a public reporting service. If you find a website offering gambling services to Belgian residents without appearing in the official register, you can report it directly through:

https://gamingcommission.be

The service is free and available in French and Dutch.

Include the following information in your report:

• The website URL

• The date on which you saw it online

• If possible, a screenshot of the homepage or terms and conditions

The Commission will then carry out its checks and, where appropriate, add the website to the blacklist blocked by Belgian internet service providers.

What to do if a withdrawal is blocked on a regulated website

With a licensed operator, a withdrawal may be delayed for several legitimate reasons, including an incomplete KYC process, an ongoing fraud-prevention review, weekends or bank processing times.

If the delay exceeds five working days without explanation, follow these steps.

First, check your player account to make sure that all requested documents have been submitted. Next, contact the casino’s customer support team and request a case number and an estimated processing time. Keep copies of all written communications.

If the situation remains unresolved, the Belgian Gaming Commission accepts reports concerning disputes with licensed operators. The complaint must be supported by evidence, including correspondence, screenshots and details of the delays experienced.

Prevention and support

If you feel that your gambling activity is moving beyond your personal comfort level, the SOS Jeux helpline is free and anonymous:

0800 35 777

The following portal, managed by the Belgian Gaming Commission, offers self-assessment tests and individual support online or by telephone:

https://www.arretezvousatemps.be

Protections required by the Belgian Gaming Commission: €200 limit, EPIS and eID

Belgian regulation does not stop at issuing licences. It requires operators to implement a practical framework designed to limit risks for players.

A regulated deposit limit

Since 20 October 2022, the deposit limit has been set at €200 per week and per website, compared with €500 previously. This measure was introduced by Royal Decree and reported by RTBF and La Libre. Its purpose is to reduce excessive gambling behaviour.

The rule applies specifically to money transferred into your player account, not to the stakes subsequently placed in games, in accordance with the Belgian Gaming Commission’s official FAQ.

Players may request a regulated exemption through the National Bank of Belgium, provided they are not included in the payment incident register.

The EPIS register

EPIS, the Excluded Persons Information System, is Belgium’s national player exclusion register. Any adult may request to be registered, either for a defined period or permanently.

Once registered, access to Belgian online and land-based casinos is automatically blocked. No regulated operator may accept a deposit from a person registered in EPIS.

You can also use the control tools and gaming limits provided by operators to set your own restrictions regarding deposits, stakes and session duration.

Mandatory identity verification

Every legal online casino in Belgium requires you to prove your identity when opening an account. This is generally completed using an electronic identity card, known as an eID, or the itsme® application, which has become standard in Belgium.

This procedure is not an unnecessary formality. It prevents minors from gambling, checks whether you are registered in EPIS and confirms your identity for withdrawals. An operator that does not request identity verification before accepting a deposit is not regulated.

The legal age of 21

To play at an online casino in Belgium, you must be at least 21 years old. This rule has been standardised and applies to all casino games, both land-based and online. Anyone claiming that you can access casino games at a younger age is, by definition, operating outside the regulated framework.

ℹ️ Stay in control

At Versailles Casino, we are committed to providing a secure gaming environment in Belgium. Tools are available to help you manage your budget and playing time more effectively, while keeping one essential rule in mind: gaming should always remain a form of entertainment.

We invite you to take five minutes to read our detailed article: Staying in control at an online casino

Gambling can be addictive. Stop in time! More information at www.arretezvousatemps.be

FAQ

How can you recognise an illegal casino website?

Several combined warning signs may indicate an illegal website: no Belgian licence number, no Belgian Gaming Commission logo, a missing 18+ logo, payments available only by credit card or cryptocurrency, no deposit limit mentioned, unrealistic promises of winnings and aggressive marketing communications.

The website will also often appear on the public blacklist maintained by the Commission.

Can you legally play on a foreign website from Belgium?

No, unless the website holds a Belgian A+ or B+ licence issued by the Belgian Gaming Commission.

A Maltese, Curaçaoan or Gibraltarian licence is not recognised in Belgium. For a Belgian resident, playing on a foreign website without a Belgian licence means using an illegal website, with no legal recourse in the event of a dispute.

How old do you have to be to play at an online casino in Belgium?

The minimum age is 21 for all online casino games in Belgium. Regulated operators verify this requirement through an electronic identity card or itsme®.

A website that accepts players aged 18 for casino games is operating outside the Belgian legal framework.

Are winnings from a Belgian online casino taxable?

For an individual player residing in Belgium, winnings from a regulated online casino are, in principle, not taxed as gambling income.

This applies as long as the activity remains occasional and cannot be considered a professional activity.