Most Popular Bookies in Belgium

Sports betting is both popular and legal in Belgium. In the country, there are both land-based operations and online gambling. Online betting was legalized in 2002. For an operator to offer gambling services in the country, they must be compliant with the set regulations and have a license. The country is known to have strict rules and high penalties given to lawbreakers in regard to gambling.

Popular sports among punters in the country include soccer, golf, basketball, and volleyball. Many top sportsbooks have established themselves in the country. These include Bwin, Unibet, Betway, Ladbrokes, Betfirst, Cyberbet, Bingoal, Golden Palace, and Magic Betting. The players here have a variety of bookies to choose from that differ in quality of services.

Most Popular Bookies in Belgium
Everything you need to know about betting in Belgium

Everything you need to know about betting in Belgium

The markets available for sports betting vary with different sports. In football, there are markets such as win, draw, goal scorers, and the number of goals. Most gamblers in the country are well versed with the popular decimal odd format which is common in European countries. Some also prefer the fraction format. Deposits and withdrawal methods are easily accessible due to the many financial services provided in the betting scene in the country.

Everything you need to know about betting in Belgium
Belgian players favourite sports to be ton

Belgian players favourite sports to be ton

The Belgian people are fond of sports betting. The players have a variety of sports to choose from ranging from horse race betting, football betting, basketball, volleyball, and golf. Some people like casino games such as Roulette, Blackjack, Poker, Baccarat, classic, and Video Slots.

The most favorite game among players in Belgium is football. Belgium has a rich history in football a reason why the sport is a fan favorite even in gambling. Markets available in football betting include the winning side, teams to score, handicap bets, over/under in terms of goals, and goal scorers.

There are several tournaments provided by betting companies in Belgium including top European competitions such as the Champions League. Local football matches are also provided making football betting popular in the country.

Other games like Golf, Basketball, and Volleyball also have numbers in terms of sports betting. Betting sites are always sure to provide markets for tournaments involving these games since they attract many punters from the country.

In the more recent e-sports field, Belgian bettors appear to follow the same trend as players. Games like Dota 2, Overwatch, StarCraft, League of Legends, and Rocket League are as popular with punters as they are popular with players and teams.

Belgian players favourite sports to be ton
Payment methods in Belgium

Payment methods in Belgium

Globally, online banking is the most common form of making payments and withdrawals for gambling enthusiasts. The Belgian gambling market has also utilized online banking methods since they are easy and accessible to most people. Bookies authorized to operate in the country offer a variety of payment methods making it convenient for bettors. They are sure to get a banking platform that suits them.

Some of the online banking methods available include E-wallets, Debit Cards, Prepaid Vouchers, Crypto Currencies, and Bank Transfer. E-wallets are preferred by punters because of their anonymity. People who value their privacy opt for this and can top up their E-wallets using Paypal, Skrill, and Neteller. Cryptocurrency is a global trend that has been well accepted by Belgians. Bookies offering their services in the country are accepting payments in CryptoCurrency forms such as Bitcoin and Litecoin.

The bookies are also keen to provide payment methods with favorable withdrawal and deposit limits. This facilitates efficiency in the transfer of money in and out of the accounts. The methods also offer instant deposits to ensure clients do not experience delays thus placing their stakes on time. These payment methods include Visa, MasterCard, Klarna, Neosurf, eZeewallet, Mifinity, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Etherium, and Ripple.

Payment methods in Belgium
History of betting in Belgium

History of betting in Belgium

The history of betting in Belgium dates back to the 15th century when historians discovered card games and a national lottery. At the time, gambling was a market without regulations and control. There were no rules or an organization to limit the activity. The first known event in the Belgium gambling market was the creation of the national lottery.

Since then, the gambling culture has consistently grown over the years. To cater to the growing demand, there has been an increase in sports betting and more casino options which have resulted in the rise of gambling in horse racing.

In 1999, the Belgian Gaming Commission was established. Also, the Gaming Act which is used to date to dictate legal matters of gambling was adopted. The Belgian Gaming Commission was charged with the responsibility of ensuring new betting organizations are licensed provided they meet the required standards. It also monitors whether the bookmarkers operate per the Gaming Act.

Online gambling was legalized in 2002. Since then, numerous bookmakers have entered the market to provide the service. The reception of the fun and thrill-filled activity was positive. Many people have little if any reservations about gambling.

Betting nowadays in Belgium

2011 marked a major milestone for gambling in Belgium. The country's online gambling law came into full effect. A few amendments to the 1999 law were enacted. Since 2011, many international bookies have exploited the market. Today, the gaming commission in the country runs both online and offline gambling activities. As a requirement to operate in Belgium, gambling service providers must ensure physical presence. In online gambling, the standard tax rates used all over the country stand at 11%.

The laws set for gambling are equal in that they seek to ensure punters are not exploited and the providers remain in business. For instance, there is a law that states the maximum betting limit is €500 ($567)per week. This law is set to ensure players' safety and to prevent money laundering through gambling platforms. This law does not affect Belgian players who bet on international bookies.

The laws about gambling are very strict and can lead to prosecution and huge penalties when violated. Unauthorized bookmakers are operating within the country. To safely use these bookies without landing in trouble, always use a VPN. At the moment, there are no taxes on winnings in the country.

History of betting in Belgium
Future of betting in Belgium

Future of betting in Belgium

It is obvious that betting has a foreseeable future in Belgium. This is mainly because it has been recognized by the country’s law meaning there is room for growth without facing any setbacks or resistance.
The gaming commission in Belgium has been analyzing the benefits and the shortcomings of online esports betting.

Esports betting has gained popularity worldwide and found its way into mainstream entertainment. The growth of the Esports sector has been catalyzed by the Covid-19 pandemic since gambling establishments were shut down. This resulted in the sector gaining huge audiences because it became the most readily available option.

Since Esports gambling is a new thing, it had not been captured in past laws set in the country. The gaming commission in the country has had reservations about Esports betting because of the danger it exposes to minors and the risk of addiction. In 2016, the commission granted permission to provide esports betting for the first time.

It was also treated as betting on events. Heading forward, there are high expectations that the venture will be a big thing in Belgium provided that the commission outlines laws to regulate it.

Future of betting in Belgium
Betting legislation in Belgium

Betting legislation in Belgium

It is a necessity that providers have all the required licenses before becoming operational. Failure to do this, the company risks blacklisting by the gaming commission in the country and attracting hefty penalties. Players may also fall victim to participating in such platforms and can also be penalized. Any activity that is defined as a game of chance in the Act must abide by the set laws.

In licensing, both online and land-based casinos are required to have licenses. For online casino providers to be licensed, they must own a land-based license. The Belgian law provides for nine types of licenses depending on the nature of activities the organization is engaging in.

These activities are categorized in Class 1 for casinos which requires license A, Class 2 amusement arcades which license B, Class 3 for establishments that sell alcohol, and cafes which require license C, and Class 4 for bookmakers which are issued with license F. To organize bets a license F1 is issued and for betting online, the company is issued with license F+.

Betting legislation in Belgium
Betting Acts in the Belgium

Betting Acts in the Belgium

Gambling activities in Belgium are guided by the Act of 7th May 1999. This Act was later amended in 2010 and 2019 to ensure smooth operation in the gaming field. Definitions provided in this act include games of chance, gaming establishments, betting, and the protection of players.

Games of chance are games where any kind of stake is placed and there are two consequential outcomes. One is the gain of favor by one of the parties in the game and the other is loss of the stake committed. Also, games that are played on social networks that require players to pay to receive more play money fall in the games of chance category even though there are no winnings.

Legal Acts in the betting scene are important to ensure individual rights are not violated. This is because a regulated gaming environment will improve the integrity of games and it is easier to detect problems in gaming making it safe for the bettor. This control also makes it possible for the government to earn revenue from the venture thus having a positive impact on Belgium's economy.

Betting Acts in the Belgium
FAQs

FAQs

Before engaging in any gambling activity, it is important to be acquainted with the requirements. This helps players to evade engaging in any activity that is not provided for in the law. Most online gambling platforms provide customers services to help answer the questions. Some of the most common questions include:

Do players have to pay taxes on winnings in Belgium?

Online players are taxed 11% on all winnings. The players do not pay the taxes themselves meaning there is no need of filing a tax report. When players make withdrawals, the online betting site dispatches an amount that is less the 11% tax. Winnings on lotteries do not attract any taxes. Any player participating in poker professionally must pay taxes and file annual reports.

Is it safe to play at Belgian Gaming Houses?

Belgian casinos and esports betting sites are among the safest gaming markets globally. This is because of the stringent rules put in place. These laws ensure the protection of all parties involved in gambling.

Who regulates esports betting in Belgium?

The Belgium Gaming Commission oversees the activity to ensure fairness and zero-exploitation of players.

Are there bonuses at Belgian betting sites?

Esports sites have great bonuses and promotions for new and existing players. These include accumulator bets, free bets, deposit bonuses, and risk-free bets.

Which are the top esports teams to bet on in Belgium?

Sector One Black, Epsilon eSports, Sector One, Defusekids, Team Belgium, Absolute Legends, and Defusekids are some of Belgium's biggest sports by earnings and wins.

FAQs