รายงานระบุว่า ตลาดการพนันในเบลเยียมจะหดตัวลงในปี 2024
Belgium’s regulated gambling market contracted in 2024 for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new figures from the national gambling regulator. This regulatory framework is overseen by the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC).
Insights reveal that the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) was €1.61 billion ($1.85 billion), down 4.86 per cent year-on-year. The decline was driven primarily by reduced physical gambling activity, while online gambling, considered the largest segment, saw only a modest dip.
While the country’s market shrank in 2024, most other European markets continued to grow moderately, highlighting Belgium’s stricter regulatory environment as a key differentiator.
Online vs. land-based gambling
The financial report also stated that online GGR: €919.1 million ($1.06 billion), accounting for 57.1 per cent of total revenue, down 2.7 per cent year-on-year.
It is also noted that land-based GGR was €690.4 million ($796.4 million), representing 42.9 per cent of the market, down 7.59 per cent year-on-year.
Segment breakdown
The report also categorised multiple segments. For casinos’ GGR, it rose 7.32 per cent to €638.45 million ($736.57 million), with online casinos contributing three-quarters of this growth. Meanwhile, the arcades’ revenue fell 11.95 per cent to €384.5 million ($443.5 million), as online activity declined but offline arcade play rose slightly (+4.24 per cent).
More decline in numbers for both low-stakes gaming, which dropped 21.71 per cent to €222 million ($256.1 million), and bingo in cafés, which plunged 24.7 per cent. Additionally, sports betting fell 6.59 per cent to €364.3 million ($420.2 million). Lastly, offline betting dropped sharply by 13.58 per cent, while online betting slipped 2.11 per cent.
Trends and challenges
The report sheds light on online gambling as it continues to dominate, sustaining more than half of total GGR, a trend that accelerated during the pandemic.
Casinos showed growth both offline (+3.7 per cent) and online (+8.7 per cent). However, betting shops were hit hardest, with a 17.9 per cent decline in offline GGR, partly due to a reduction in licences (from 535 to 408 in two years).
For sports betting, there were mixed results: overall GGR up 4 per cent, but horse racing and other bets fell sharply (-32.8 per cent and -44.7 per cent, respectively).
Regulatory impact
The regulator attributed much of the slowdown to measures introduced since 2023, including a cumulative-site ban that prevents operators from hosting multiple licence types on one platform.
Additionally, the regulator increased the minimum age from 18 to 21. It also banned bonuses and stricter advertising rules. Finally, safeguards like mandatory ID/Epis checks have been implemented.
Advertising restrictions also drew attention, particularly after investigations into high-profile promotions involving footballer Eden Hazard.
Outlook
Between 2020 and 2023, Belgium’s online GGR surged nearly 60 per cent cumulatively, including 18 per cent growth in 2023. The regulator now warns that stricter rules may be pushing players toward unregulated channels, underscoring the need for urgent research.
Delays and summarisation in the 2024 report were attributed to changes in financial reporting processes and understaffing in the regulator’s financial control unit. Market figures for 2025 are expected to be released soon.
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