One in five gambling sites in Belgium is illegal

The fight against illegal online gambling in Belgium is not easy, with 21 of the 94 blacklisted gambling sites still active, according to research by De Morgen. It is technically difficult to block the sites, according to Belgium’s Gambling Commission.

It is still possible, for example, to play games for money on sites like 21 Grand Casino, Scratch Mania and Bingo Round, despite their being blacklisted. The sites are illegal because they do not meet Belgium’s strict conditions for online gambling services, such as a license from the Gambling Commission, a Belgium-based computer server and the payment of taxes on the income they generate.

Several major websites such as Bwin, Ladbrokes and Unibet, have since adjusted their activities to be in line with Belgian law, while other sites, such as Betclic and Europa Casino, have suspended their activities altogether in Belgium. However, more than 20 illegal sites remain active. Blocking the illegal sites has proven to be a difficult task, admits Etienne Marique, Chairman of the Gaming Commission.