Belgium casinos are legal and tightly regulated: the country has only nine casino licences, and the Belgian Gaming Commission licenses and polices casinos, arcades, betting shops and gambling websites. You must be 21 to gamble, online sites must be tied to a land-based licence, and bonuses, credit card deposits and most gambling advertising are banned.
Belgium gambling at a glance
| Regulator | Belgian Gaming Commission (Kansspelcommissie / Commission des jeux de hasard) |
|---|---|
| Main law | Gaming Act of 7 May 1999, extended to online gambling in 2011 |
| Land casinos | Nine casino licences |
| Online gambling | Legal only for operators that also hold a Belgian land-based licence |
| Minimum age | 21 |
| Player protection | Default €200 weekly deposit limit per site, no bonuses, no credit cards, national exclusion register (EPIS) |
| Last checked | November 2026 |
How gambling is regulated in Belgium
The Gaming Act of 7 May 1999 brought gambling under state licensing for the first time and set up the Belgian Gaming Commission, whose members come from the ministries of justice, finance, economic affairs, internal affairs and public health. A 2011 reform brought online gambling into the same system.
Licences are split by type of venue:
- Class A: casinos. An A+ licence lets a casino offer games online.
- Class B: amusement arcades with slot machines. B+ covers their online games.
- Class C: cafés and other places that serve alcohol, limited to two games.
- Class F: betting. F1 is needed to organize bets, F2 to take bets for an F1 holder, and a plus licence covers online betting.
Because an online licence must sit on top of a land-based one, only a small number of online brands can operate legally. The Commission keeps a blacklist of illegal gambling sites, passes it to internet providers so they can block them, and can fine both operators and players who use illegal sites.
Casinos in Belgium
The law allows just nine casinos, in Blankenberge, Brussels, Chaudfontaine, Dinant, Knokke, Middelkerke, Namur, Ostend and Spa. Most are in seaside and spa towns, and the Grand Casino in Knokke is one of the best known.
Belgian casinos deal the usual European mix of table games, including roulette, blackjack, baccarat and stud poker games such as Caribbean stud, along with slot machines and poker. Some casinos also spread craps or other table games, so check before you go. Bring a valid photo ID, since you must be 21 to enter.
Outside the casinos, licensed arcades offer slot machines, and betting shops and newsagents take sports bets.
Online gambling in Belgium
Online casino games, poker sites and sports betting are legal only from operators with a Belgian “plus” licence linked to a land-based casino, arcade or betting licence. The rules are some of the strictest in Europe:
- The minimum age is 21 for all gambling, including online. Casinos have required 21 since 2018, and the age for betting, arcades and bingo was raised to match in 2024.
- Online players have a default weekly deposit limit of €200 per site. It can be raised only by applying to the Gaming Commission, which first checks the National Bank’s credit register.
- Bonuses and free bets are banned.
- Players cannot gamble with a credit card.
- Most gambling advertising has been banned since July 2023.
Belgium’s exclusion register, EPIS, had 56,458 registrations in 2024. About a third of those signed up voluntarily.
Other European casino guides
For other countries in Europe, see our guides to Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Sweden. US readers can find state-by-state information in our online casino section.
Belgium casino FAQ
How many casinos are there in Belgium?
Nine. The law caps casino licences at nine, and each casino is tied to its town.
What is the gambling age in Belgium?
21, for casinos, arcades, betting and online gambling.
Is online gambling legal in Belgium?
Yes, but only on sites run by operators that hold a Belgian online licence linked to a land-based licence. The Gaming Commission blacklists and blocks other sites.
Can I get a casino bonus in Belgium?
No. Gambling bonuses and free bets are banned in Belgium.
Please gamble responsibly. In the US, the National Problem Gambling Helpline is 1-800-MY-RESET (call or text).