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Belgium’s Gambling Revenue Grows by 16.7% in 2023 Despite Stricter Regulations

Belgium-reports-16.7_-rise-in-2023-GGR-despite-tighter-regulatory-controls Belgium’s gambling market has shown remarkable resilience, with the Commission des Jeux de Hasard (CJH), the country’s gambling regulator, reporting a 16.7% increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for 2023. The total GGR for the year reached €1.7bn (£1.5bn/$1.9bn), a significant rise from €1.5bn in 2022, despite the Belgian government imposing tougher restrictions on the sector.

Growth in Online and Offline Markets

The surge in GGR was driven by robust performance across both online and offline gambling sectors. Online gambling GGR grew by 18% to €944.6m, demonstrating the increasing shift towards digital platforms. Meanwhile, offline gambling also saw substantial growth, with GGR reaching €758m, a 15.2% year-on-year increase.

This growth comes in the face of heightened regulations introduced by the Belgian government. Since 2022, operators have been required to enforce a weekly loss limit for players, which was reduced from €500 to €200. Further tightening occurred in mid-2023, when a ban on all gambling advertising came into effect on July 1, following an unsuccessful attempt by a consortium of Belgian sports teams and operators to overturn the decision.

Casino Sector Leads the Charge

Belgium’s casino sector was a standout performer in 2023, with GGR increasing by 18.7% to €594.9m. This growth was largely fueled by a 20.2% rise in online casino revenue, which reached €455m. Although brick-and-mortar casinos did not match the growth rate of their online counterparts, they still reported a 14.3% increase in GGR, totaling €139.9m.

Among the nine land-based casinos in Belgium, Grand Casino Brussels, operated by Casinos Austria International, led the market with an offline GGR of €52.5m. Circus Casino Resort Namur followed with €22.5m. However, Casino Blankenberge, acquired by Kindred Group in 2020, was the only venue to report a year-on-year decline in GGR.

Mixed Results for Slot Arcades and Sports Betting

Slot arcades also saw strong growth, with GGR rising by 17.3% to €437m. Online activity was a key driver, accounting for 57.7% of slot hall revenue and growing by 19.4% to €252m. In-person slot arcade GGR increased by 14.5% to €184.9m.

In contrast, the sports betting sector experienced more modest growth, with GGR increasing by 8.4% to €390m. Online sports betting remained dominant, contributing 60.9% of the sector’s total GGR and growing by 12.8% to €237.6m. Revenue from betting shops grew at a slower pace, rising by just 2.3% to €152.4m.

The CJH noted that ten of the 24 licensed operators were responsible for 96% of offline bets and 94% of online wagers, highlighting the concentration of the market. Despite there being 30 available licenses, only 24 were in use throughout the year.

Newsagents Hit Hard by New Regulations

The only sector to experience a significant decline was betting at newsagents. New restrictions imposed in 2022 limited betting hours to between 6 AM and 8 PM and capped annual stakes per newsagent at €250,000. These measures led to a 26.3% drop in GGR for newsagents, resulting in 21 refusals of license renewals, 82 licensees not seeking renewal, and 151 ceasing operations altogether. By the end of 2023, only 1,484 newsagents were still active, down from 1,580 at the end of 2022.

Ongoing Regulatory Changes

The Belgian government continues to implement new regulations aimed at tightening control over the gambling industry. From September 1, 2024, the legal gambling age in Belgium will increase from 18 to 21 years old. These changes have raised concerns about the potential impact on channelization towards legal markets, with Belgium-based operator Gaming1 warning in an April report that the ongoing regulatory shifts could drive more players to unregulated platforms.

Source:

Belgium reports 16.7% rise in 2023 GGR despite tighter regulatory controls, igamingbusiness.com, August 12, 2024.

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GambleAware Survey Shows Strong Support for Stricter Gambling Ad Regulations

GambleAware-study-suggests-public-support-for-gambling-advertising-restrictions A recent survey by GambleAware reveals significant public support for stricter regulations on gambling advertising in the UK. The survey, conducted in collaboration with Ipsos, included responses from 4,207 adults and highlighted the increasing concern over the prevalence and impact of gambling advertisements.

Demand for Increased Regulation

The survey, published on June 27, indicates that almost three-quarters (74%) of British consumers believe gambling advertisements should be regulated on social media, with 72% supporting increased regulation for television adverts. Additionally, 67% of respondents agreed that there are currently too many gambling advertisements and 66% expressed concern about their impact on children. Moreover, 61% of those surveyed opposed the use of gambling logos on football shirts, emphasizing the public’s desire for a change in how gambling is marketed, particularly in sports.

Impact of Gambling Ads on Behavior

The report also sheds light on the direct impact of gambling advertisements on individuals’ gambling behaviors. According to the survey, 24% of respondents who had gambled in the past year took gambling-related actions after seeing an advert. This figure jumps to 79% among those experiencing gambling-related problems, with 54% of this group stating that advertisements make it difficult to reduce their gambling activities. Furthermore, 51% reported that ads make it challenging to watch professional football without feeling the urge to place a bet.

GambleAware’s chief executive Zoë Osmond commented on the findings: “Exposure to gambling advertising normalizes gambling and makes it seem like just ‘harmless fun’ without showing the risks of gambling addiction and harm. This is why we have published our new report, to call on the next government to do more to regulate gambling advertising, particularly around sport where children and young people can see it.”

Proposed Measures for Safer Gambling Advertising

In response to the survey findings, GambleAware has proposed several measures to make gambling advertising safer. These include implementing a pre-watershed ban on broadcast advertising across television, radio, and video on demand. This would expand on the current voluntary whistle-to-whistle ban, covering only 2% of all broadcast gambling ads.

GambleAware also advocates for all advertisements to include independent, evidence-based health warnings with clear signposting to support services. This approach aims to help those needing assistance by directing them to appropriate resources.

Another recommendation is to ban gambling marketing at sports events, including removing sponsorships from sports clothing, merchandise, and stadiums. The Premier League has already agreed to phase out gambling logos on shirts by the 2026-27 season, and GambleAware suggests extending this ban to all sports.

Barriers to Seeking Help for Gambling Problems

Aside from advertising concerns, the report also addresses barriers to seeking help for gambling-related harm. It found that 64% of respondents who had experienced gambling problems had not spoken to anyone about it. The main reasons cited were feelings of shame or guilt (17%) and fear of judgment (13%).

Despite these barriers, the survey reveals that 76% of those who did seek help felt better after doing so, and 63% believed they would have felt better if they had sought help sooner. The primary motivations for seeking support included gambling’s negative impact on mental health (23%), financial issues (22%), and the desire for help to stop gambling (21%).