Practical Gambling Guide for Belgium

As of 2011, Belgium-based players can enjoy access to online casinos licensed locally. Accepting an amendment that would acknowledge the popularity of online betting sites and supplying the local gambling community with legit and regulated virtual lobbies was a major step forward for the country.

However, while the Belgian Gaming Commission clearly prohibits any offshore operators and bans websites that do not have licenses from the local regulator, the EU arues that Belgium is trying to artificially keep foreign operators within the EU area from legally entering the market. And there is the third side to the story — with Belgium being a country most residents have a decent income and are considered desirable clients, 100s of offshore places to bet and win still offer their services to the local community, with or without the approval of the EU or the local government.

But while the bureaucrats are marking their territories and get tied up in legal disputes, how do regular players from Belgium go about gambling online? In comes our detailed guide for beginners (although seasoned players may also find some value in it). We are dividing it into subsections and giving detailed information on:

  • The licensing process for online casinos within Belgium, as well as for foreign brands that offer their services to Belgian players.
  • Preferred and recommended Belgium-friendly banking methods, payment tips for foreign online operators, and a roadmap to using crypto.
  • An in-depth explanation of how promotions work and what casinos want from players in exchange for bonus cash and spins.
  • Recommended games and software, as well as tips on playing slots and live games.

We also have an extensive list of Belgium-friendly places to bet and win that contains more than 100 vetted locations. Check it out, adjust the search filters to preferred services (like games, currencies, payment methods, and software), and start playing.

Our Take on Online Gambling in Belgium

It feels like Belgium is still in the process of adapting and improving its laws for online gambling. When this review was being finalized, the country was still very meticulous about licensing for online services only those casinos that had land-based presence within the country. At the same time, the country’s commissioners are in a passionate dispute with the EU commissioners about international gambling brands willing to legally enter the Belgian market.

And while the officials argue, players from Belgium can gamble online at lobbies licensed within the country, as well as at 100s of offshore lobbies, enjoying an array of slots, table games, ad live dealer content from 10s of the best content suppliers.

Our portal has a lot of certified websites ready to accept gamers from Belgium. regardless of the preferences in digital or fiat cash, promotions, games, payment methods, or other services, visitors of KeyToCasinos will surely find at least one suitable website to play at.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Licensing and Legality

The authority in charge of regulating online and land-based gambling lobbies is the Belgian Gaming Commission. It reviews applications from the local businesses, makes sure that the applicants can comply with the requirements, and issues different types of licenses for providing services virtually. To check whether an online casino that you have picked is in fact a Belgium-licensed place to bet and win, scroll down to the website’s footer and look for a seal/icon from the government of Belgium. Tapping on this icon will lead to the official website of BGC and to the license number of the gaming website in question.

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.

Any Belgian players that are happy with the selection of online lobbies that the country offers really don’t need to look for foreign content suppliers. But the reality is that according to the Belgian Gambling Act of 1999, there can be no more than nine land-based casinos in the country. This subsequently leads to a very small number of sites where the local players can place real money wagers. There are also only that many games and studios to choose from. So, for many members of the local gambling community, looking for foreign and offshore places to bet and win is a matter of a better selection of content, services, and promotions.

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.

The first thing any player is advised to do is head to the help desk representatives of the specific casino and open a ticket that states the problem. If you find that an online operator was not fair when solving the problem, you always have an option to complain to a third-party supervisor. Check for one in the casino’s T&C or ask the help desk representatives to provide you with information. 
The absence of licensing or any information about the managing company is always a red flag. We also often recommend players check the website’s history. There are lots of gambling forums where the members of the Belgian gambling community (and international players) share their experiences and feedback about certain places to bet and win. Double-checking the reputation is always a good idea and if you see that the forums are filled with negative comments about the online operator in question, we recommend looking for alternative lobbies to gamble.

Banking and Payments

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.

In general, the world of online gambling turns to some 10+ cryptocurrencies. These are Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Doge, Tether, Ripple, and a few others. Regardless of the country of the player’s residence, these currencies will be available. So, the decision about which of these types of digital money to use depends on the selected online operator. Plus, it is not necessary to create crypto wallets within several blockchains. There are already multi-currency crypto wallets like Cardano that allow adding different types of tokes into one account.
Our database shows more than 130 platforms that are ready to accept Belgian players and to supply them with premium services in crypto. Among others, the list of recommended locations includes LadyLuck CasinoMondCasino, and RocketPlay.
Check out LTC Casino. This is a website that operates solely with crypto and supports financial transactions in Litecoin, Doge, Ethereum, and Bitcoin. It also offers 100s of games and a hefty sign-up promotion in crypto. Another location that we can recommend is SlotVibe Casino. This is a Curacao-compliant place to bet and win that combines crypto and fiat cash and supports many popular payment methods. Plus, players share positive feedback about their experience at SlotVibe.
Yes, there might be limits to maximum deposits. These will depend either on the rules of a specific online operator or on certain payment methods. Maximum limits differ, with the lowest ones being for prepaid vouchers, and the highest ones being for crypto-wallets.

Promotions and Bonuses

Promotions are a powerful instrument to attract new players and retain registered gamblers. A website offers cash, free spins, reloads, cashback, or other incentives but neither of these will be free. The deals will come with the rollover requirements. In other words, an online operator will require a player to roll over the bonus, deposit, or both amounts a certain number of times. Deadlines may also apply.
This may be one of the options but the situation will differ from one operator to another. Some websites allow withdrawing bonus cash, while others limit withdrawals to wins from the bonus cash. Plus, the rollover requirements will necessarily apply.
Bonus T&C are the rules that the players must follow if he or she wants to then withdraw either bonus cash or bonus wins. The T&C will cover maximum and minimum bets per spin, maximum or minimum deposits, deadlines, games that are allowed, as well as releases that are excluded, and several other nuances. We always recommend reading the T&C prior to committing to any bonus.
Players from Belgium need to check in advance if selected platforms allow all deposit methods to qualify for promotions. There is sometimes a catch with prepaid vouchers and e-wallets. These two banking products are oftentimes labeled non-reliable in terms of identity theft and online operators prefer to exclude them from the bonus T&C.
Welcome bonuses are the deals that newbies can claim when they create accounts. Reloads are the ongoing promotions that registered regulars can explore.

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.

Yes, gamblers from this country can enjoy reloads, cashback, free spins, tournaments, weekend deals, and loyalty programs. Check for great and Belgium-friendly ongoing propositions at Vanguards Casino, as well as at Betfair and ParadiseWin.
Yes, absolutely. Deals in crypto can be at crypto-only platforms, as well as at lobbies that support payments in digital and fiat cash. Everygame Casino Classic has its offers adapted to regular and digital cash. So does CryptoThrills Casino. The sign-up deal at this place to bet and win can reach up to 100% in crypto match, and the rollover requirements are 40xB. The type of content that contributes 100% to the rollover requirements is 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.

Most of the online operators have a system in place where every deposit and wager contributes to an accumulator of the complementary points. The more comp points there are, the higher the status of the player. So, those who deposit and play regularly can later receive benefits for their commitment. The higher the status, the better the perks, including higher cashout speed, faster withdrawals, personal managers, plain tickets to luxurious destinations, etc. Plus, in some cases, complementary points can be converted back into cash.
This will depend not on the country of residence but on the rules of a certain online operator. Some websites have only one requirement: players need to accumulate certain amounts of comp points to climb up the VIP tiers. However, in some cases, players will need to maintain a certain monthly level of deposits to keep their statuses.
In this case, it might be useful to consult with the help desk representatives. Sometimes, becoming a VIP player is possible by invitation only, hence, the websites do not list the tiers and requirements for public knowledge.

Games and Software

There are not that many content creators from Belgium available across global brands but players can enjoy signature dice slots from the local content creator, Gaming1, at locally licensed websites like Circus.be and Casino Belgium, as well as at a few European gaming lobbies. Estoril Sol is among them and so is Videoslots Casino

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.

Once again, the selection of content is broad. Evolution Gaming, Real Dealer Studios, Ezugi, Pragmatic Live, BetGames TV, and Vivo Gaming are a few out of many developers to check out. The portfolios of these companies include popular variations of roulette, blackjack, baccarat, table pokers, and sometimes even game shows. 
While the rules are similar for most roulette, blackjack, pokers, and baccarat games, the strategies may differ significantly. For instance, at land-based lobbies counting cards in blackjack is a strategy that may work (at the same time, we are not saying that it is allowed by all casinos). However, in virtual live games, the cards are shuffled regularly, and decks are refreshed, which is something that makes the counting cards strategy useless. This is just one example but the bottom line is — what works in land-based venues, will not necessarily work online.
Yes, absolutely! If you are new to the live dealer table, we recommend taking a closer look at the games that the provider offers, and understanding which of them are games of chance (baccarat, roulette), and which require additional skills or knowledge (blackjack, pokers). Then, check the guides and roadmaps for these games. Knowing the rules, as well as using successful strategies is a definite plus but there is so much more to playing live games, the little nuances that matter. For instance, one can hardly predict how the ball falls in the roulette wheel but it is still possible to manage the roulette process by mastering the bankroll and choosing a low or a high roller strategy. The same applies to all other live games.

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.

While the gambling round looks like a great chance to significantly increase the wins, numerous studies show that at the end of the day it is not that advantageous. 
Betting and the size of bets is something that every player should decide on their own. Betting more sure has its benefits. If a multiplier is won, the payout becomes significantly bigger. And progressive slots sometimes allow accessing the jackpots only for those players who bet the most. On the other hand, there are plenty of risks, too, including losing a lot of money in a blink of an eye. So, when deciding to go all in, go at your own risk and with the full understanding that a slot is a game that never promises certain wins. It is all about luck and RNG.

Safety while Gambling

As the online gambling market comes out of a gray area more, the regulators insist that the safety of players comes first. This explains a lot of procedures that online operators have to stand by, including additional verifications. The websites that are certified must do them if there is a suspicion that one player deposits and wagers too much money within a short period of time. There have already been lawsuits brought against certain gambling websites (major brands, too) that took advantage of players when they were in a vulnerable state.

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. 

Always choose certified websites with good reviews both from professional portals and from fellow Belgian gamblers. Do not play for real money when feeling distressed. Do not register at lobbies that seem shady, offer software that their licensing will unlikely let them offer, or have no T&C for bonuses. Don’t hesitate to escalate any issues of non-payment or other violations to the third-party dispute resolvers and supervisors. If all else fails, there are also the gambling portals. Bringing awareness to rogue online operators may help. Also, for personal safety, do not use VPN to register at locations that explicitly say they do not accept Belgium. Practices like this one rarely lead to situations where the player can benefit.

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