| Updated: September 26, 2025Belgium has a long history of gambling dating back to the 1300s. Nowadays, land-based and online casino gambling, as well as sports betting, are legal in Belgium. Foreign operators may serve bettors from Belgium only if they obtain a license from the Belgian Gaming Commission. However, that is not an easy feat because of the strict licensing requirements imposed on operators.
Belgium has a heavily regulated gambling market, which is why many reputable operators prefer to stay away from it. By enforcing strict gambling laws, Belgium strives to ensure that everyone can enjoy a safe betting and gambling experience. Belgian bettors who decide to join an offshore betting site may face a hefty fine. In other words, it is perfectly legal to bet on sports online as long as you use the services of a licensed betting site.
Best Sports Betting Sites in Belgium
Despite the strict gambling regulations, several reputable operators have obtained licenses from the gambling authorities in Belgium. One important requirement for all bookmakers wishing to operate on Belgian soil is that they run land-based establishments in the country. Here are the best licensed online sportsbooks that accept Belgian bettors.
Best Sports Betting Bonuses in Belgium
In 2011, Belgium passed the Gaming Act to regulate online sports betting and gambling. Initially, licensed sportsbooks could offer a variety of promotions to new and existing sports fans. However, in February 2020 the Council of State overturned two aspects of the Royal Decree and banned casino and sports betting bonuses. Licensed sportsbooks operating in the Belgian market have nevertheless found ways to incentivize their customers without breaking the law. Below are some of the promotions that these licensed betting sites offer Belgian bettors.
Enhanced Odds 100% Pre-Match PaybackEnhanced Odds
Online bookmakers deliberately adjust the odds in the bettor’s favor to increase engagement. Boosted odds give sports fans the chance to win more money with the same amount of risk. Punters don’t need to opt in to the promotion; they simply place a wager on a specific betting market, and the odds are boosted automatically.
Some Belgian betting sites even offer a combo booster promotion. If your accumulator bet wins, the sportsbook will increase your profits by a certain percentage. To qualify, you must place an accumulator bet with at least four selections. The more selections you include, the higher the combo-boost percentage.
100% Pre-Match Payback
Some betting sites give Belgian punters the chance to cash out the full amount of their wagers before a sporting event begins. You can take advantage of the pre-match payback promotion as long as the match has not started and the odds remain unchanged. For example, if you wager €10 on a sporting event at odds of 2.00, you can retrieve your €10 by using the cash-out option before the game starts. However, if the odds have changed in the meantime, you will no longer be eligible for the pre-match payback promotion.
Betting Regulation in Belgium
Although gambling has been a popular pastime in Belgium since the 1300s, the country first addressed the issue in 1851 with the passage of the Lotteries Act. The rise of illegal gambling eventually led to an outright ban on all forms of gambling in 1872 and again in 1902.
In 1999, the regulatory landscape changed dramatically when the country implemented the Gambling Act. The Belgium Gaming Commission was established under the Act to oversee all forms of gambling. The law stipulates that only operators licensed by the Belgian authorities can target players and sports fans within Belgium.
In 2011, Belgium amended its gambling laws to regulate online gambling and sports betting. Under the new rules, foreign operators can offer their services to Belgian residents if they obtain a license from the Belgium Gaming Commission. However, operators must meet strict requirements to receive a license; for example, they must operate land-based establishments in Belgium to be eligible.
Licensing Requirements for Operators Belgium Tightens Gambling and Sports Betting RestrictionsLicensing Requirements for Operators
The country’s decision to impose a limit of nine licenses for land-based casinos has further complicated matters for operators. Some foreign casino operators have partnered with existing land-based casinos to secure permission to operate on Belgian soil.
The law distinguishes four classes of gambling activities. Sports betting falls under Class 4, and bookmakers must obtain an F license. There are three types of F licenses: an F1 license to organize bets, an F2 license to accept bets, and an additional F+ license for operators wishing to offer sports betting online. F licenses are valid for nine years. However, there is a maximum limit on the number of F licenses that can be issued, making it almost impossible for many bookmakers to obtain a Belgian license.
Punters and casino fans who use unlicensed gambling sites and sportsbooks face fines ranging from €26 to €25,000. In addition, the Belgium Gaming Commission adds such websites to its blacklist and requires ISPs to block them. By 2022, the regulator had blacklisted a total of 380 unlicensed sportsbooks and casinos.
Belgium Tightens Gambling and Sports Betting Restrictions
Belgian punters must be at least 18 years old to participate in sports betting both online and offline, while the minimum age to play casino games is 21. Belgian sports fans are not required to pay taxes on their winnings; however, if you engage in games of chance professionally, your winnings are treated as professional income and are therefore taxable.
Although online sports betting is legal in Belgium, the country has imposed heavy restrictions on operators. As noted above, it is nearly impossible for foreign operators to acquire a license from the Belgium Gaming Commission. In addition, licensed online casinos and betting sites are prohibited from offering bonuses to Belgian players.
Statistics show that over 100,000 Belgians actively participate in gambling, and one-third of them experience gambling-related problems. Consequently, the country decided to lower the weekly deposit limit from €500 to €200.
In 2019, Belgium approved a draft Royal Decree that is expected to take effect on 1 June 2023. Under the new rules, gambling ads will no longer be allowed on posters in public places. Moreover, operators will be prohibited from promoting their services via email, SMS, and social networks. Beginning in 2025, all sponsorship deals are expected to be banned. Until December 2027, sports betting companies may display their gambling brand’s logo on the back of athletes’ jerseys.