Key Takeaways
- Belgium’s gambling gross gaming revenue contracted 4.86% to €1.61 billion in 2024, marking the first annual decline since 2020
- Physical gambling venues suffered most with a 7.59% revenue drop, while digital platforms declined 2.7%
- Casino operations emerged as the single growth sector, posting a 7.32% increase to €638.45 million
- New regulations—including minimum age raised to 21, promotional bonus prohibitions, and advertising limitations—largely responsible for downturn
- Authorities express uncertainty about whether regulatory measures have inadvertently driven gamblers to illegal offshore platforms
For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the industry, Belgium’s licensed gambling sector experienced a contraction. Data from Belgium’s gambling authority shows total gross gaming revenue among authorized operators decreased 4.86% compared to the previous year, reaching €1.61 billion.
This reversal follows a sustained period of expansion. Digital gambling revenue had climbed approximately 60% from 2020 through 2023, including an impressive 18% increase during 2023 alone.
That upward trajectory halted in 2024. Digital GGR, representing 57.1% of the overall marketplace, decreased 2.7% to €919.10 million.
Traditional brick-and-mortar operations experienced more significant losses. Revenue from physical gambling establishments fell 7.59% to €690.41 million.
According to regulatory officials, a wave of new compliance requirements implemented beginning in 2023 primarily explains the market contraction.
New Compliance Requirements Reshape Industry Landscape
A particularly impactful change involved prohibiting cumulative-site operations. License holders can no longer consolidate multiple product categories on one digital platform. Arcade license operators faced especially severe consequences from this restriction.
Certain operators responded by migrating their services to casino or sports betting platforms. This strategy redistributed revenue among licensing classifications without expanding total market size.
Additionally, Belgium elevated its legal gambling age from 18 to 21 years. Promotional bonuses were eliminated entirely. Marketing guidelines became more restrictive. Mandatory identity verification and Epis system checks were implemented.
These advertising limitations have recently garnered significant scrutiny. Belgian authorities launched formal inquiries into promotional campaigns featuring international football star Eden Hazard.
The arcade division experienced an 11.95% revenue decline to €384.75 million. Digital arcade operations plummeted 23.8%, though traditional arcade locations saw revenue increase 4.24%.
Low-stakes gaming suffered an even sharper downturn. This category’s GGR dropped 21.71% to €222 million. Café-based bingo operations decreased 24.7%.
Sports wagering GGR fell 6.59% to €364.3 million across all channels. Traditional betting locations dropped 13.58%, while digital sports betting declined 2.11%.
Casino Sector Defies Broader Market Decline
Casino operations stood alone in demonstrating growth. Casino GGR expanded 7.32% to €638.45 million. Digital casino platforms generated approximately 75% of this total.
Traditional casino facilities grew 3.7%. Digital casino revenue advanced 8.7%.
Sports wagering within casino properties increased 4%. However, horse racing wagers plunged 32.8%, and alternative betting categories dropped 44.7%.
Physical betting establishments faced particularly challenging conditions. The total number of betting shop licenses decreased from 535 to 408 during a two-year span, contributing to a 17.9% betting shop GGR reduction.
Regulatory authorities acknowledged that while these new requirements aimed to enhance responsible gambling practices, they have demonstrably constrained market expansion. Officials also stated uncertainty remains regarding whether the measures have genuinely improved consumer safeguards.
Concerns exist that certain players may have migrated to unlicensed offshore platforms. The regulator emphasized the critical need for comprehensive research to assess whether this migration is occurring.
Authorities noted that 2024 statistics experienced publication delays due to modifications in financial documentation procedures and insufficient staffing within the financial oversight department. The 2025 market analysis is anticipated to be published according to schedule.
