According to the Belgian Gambling Act that was amended in 2011, only those businesses that have land-based casinos can apply to receive licenses and to provide services online. When the amendment was adopted, this sparked controversy between Belgium and the EU, with the latter arguing that this amendment jeopardizes certified gambling providers from other EU countries and keeps them from entering the local market. The government of Belgium, however, insists on keeping things the way they are.

In 2021, bwin Casino became the first foreign online operator without a branded physical land-based venue in Belgium to be certified by the government of the country. The operator achieved it by partnering with Belcasinos, a network physically present in Belgium. Such an approach may seem like a precedent for other foreign providers. We will follow the developments in this story.

Our website shows at least 300 certified places to bet and win friendly to players from Belgium. Keep in mind that the BGC has the power to block offshore sites that target the country and the list of recommended sites on our portal will not always be able to keep up with the actions of BGC.

Generally, though, there are plenty of foreign licenses that allow the sites to include Belgium in accepted traffic. To mention a few, the list of jurisdictions includes Cyprus, Curacao, Gibraltar, and the Isle of Man.

Normally, we do not recommend registering at non-licensed places to bet and win. Yes, our portal does have reviews for some of such platforms where we saw no permits but we took the time to vet such brands in other ways (and still leave disclaimers that the brand comes without a license).

The reason why non-licensed online operators are not recommended is that there are many risks for players. Such websites can offer ripped software with RNGs adjusted to leave players with fewer chances to win. Non-licensed lobbies easily tamper with the bonus T&C and can delay payouts or cancel them at all. And what is even more frustrating, in cases like this one, players are left with limited options to seek justice.

A certified business passes vetting and audits from the gambling authority prior to going live. The better the gambling authority — the higher the quality of the platform. For Belgium, of course, nothing beats licensing from BGC. For international markets, the Malta Gaming Authority is the one to set the highest standards. 

When granted permits, certified websites are obliged to follow the T&C from the licensors or they are in danger of being fined or having their licenses revoked. Plus, certified websites can sign contracts with legit and quality game suppliers, all of which prefer to work with white-label platforms. 

Finally, a licensed website has to have a third party as an independent partner that can take over disputes between a casino and a player. This third party is usually focused on protecting the rights of players, which is particularly important when it comes to non-payment or other violations on the side of an online operator.

We would strongly advise against using any VPNs when registering to wager real money online. If a platform explicitly states that Belgium is not among accepted countries, it is safer to move on and find an alternative location friendly to players from this country. In terms of the list of games, software providers, bonuses, and payment methods, it should not be a problem finding a proper website. 

When using a VPN, you may succeed at registering, and even depositing and playing. But as soon as it comes to cashouts, you may encounter problems with verification. It is always unpleasant to have one’s wins annulled or lost due to the breach of the casino’s T&C. And if an operator clearly stated it does not accept Belgium, using VPN and forging the location is considered a breach of T&C.

There are several important things to check. First and foremost, check whether it will be easy to deposit and withdraw cash. Selecting a website based on deposit methods is easier. Most online operators list them at the footer of their websites. Cashouts are trickier. Not all the accepted deposit methods convenient for Belgian players support withdrawals. So, a wise thing to do would be to address the question about payout methods to the help desk representatives of a lobby.

Also, check for the cashout speed and fees. It might even be a good idea to run some background checks across the gambling forums and see what other registered members had to say. If there are a lot of comments about delayed or slow payouts, we recommend looking for other locations to play. 

In terms of currencies, of course, these should be operators that accept EUR. Luckily, with this being one of the two most popular currencies for gambling online, the list of suitable gaming platforms is great.

In terms of payment methods, cards like Visa and MasterCard are almost always available across the cashiers, and so are the bank and wire transfers. More specific for Belgium, several popular online operators also support payments via Bancontact/Mister Cash.

Regardless of the country of residence, deposits to online cashiers of gambling websites are almost always free. E-wallets, gateways, and payment solutions usually charge the merchants. Some exceptions can apply to cards and bank transfers.

In terms of cashouts, fees may apply to all banking methods and this is based on the policies of the selected online operator. The cheapest way to cash out the wins will always be via e-wallets, and more specifically, via crypto wallets because all transactions within blockchains are free. The most expensive way is via bank transfers. Both the casino team and the bank will add their fees.

Yes, lots of local and international lobbies will have sign-up bonuses that players from Belgium can claim. Among others, check the sign-up proposition at 777Casino.be. This is a locally licensed gambling platform that has a 100% cash match up to 777 Euros, which needs to be wagered 30xB. Plus, there is also no-deposit cash.

Another location that we suggest you take a closer look at in terms of welcome deals is MobileBet. The cash match is between 200% to 100% and is compatible with slot machines.

No-deposit deals are welcome or special promotions that a platform is willing to give away without any prior deposits. However, the website will still require a player to complete the rollover requirements for such deals. No-deposit promotions can be both cash and spins. If you are looking for promotions of this type for Belgium, check out CyberSpins. The website offers 20 free spins upon creating an account. The rollover requirements are 50xB. The deal can be wagered in EUR and crypto.

If we are talking about international lobbies, then gamers from the reviewed country can enjoy the content from multiple renowned developers. The list includes legends like Microgaming, Net Entertainment, Pragmatic Play, BetSoft, and Play’n GO, as well as smaller or niche content creators. To name a few, there are Just For The Win, Alchemy Gaming, and Hacksaw Gaming.

No, slots are games of chance. It is impossible to predict how the RNG works and the reels roll and stop at every spin. However, you can still be in charge of the action by choosing a game that has an appropriate RTP or volatility that aligns with your expectations. Plus, deciding on the bankroll and sticking to it also allows players to navigate the otherwise unpredictable reel-spinning process.

Sticking to certain bankrolls, not going over the budget, and keeping in mind that online games of chance are just that — games created for recreation, not a source of income — are among the first rules that every new player from Belgium is recommended to accept. Plus, every certified website has useful links to resources intended to help players that feel like there can be problems with the gambling addiction.