Belgium has initiated a comprehensive strategy to tackle illegal gambling, marking the start of a six-year program aimed at transforming the sector. This new approach was unveiled at the beginning of September and coincided with significant appointments to the Kansspelcommissie (KSC), the nation’s gambling regulatory authority. Effective December 15, 2023, the KSC has partnered with DNS Belgium, the leading internet service provider, to enhance its efforts in identifying and eliminating unauthorized gambling activities.
Collaboration Against Illegal Gambling
The partnership aims to bolster the KSC’s mandate of protecting consumers and ensuring “channeling to legal gambling.” The agreement includes strategic actions to focus on detecting and addressing illegal gambling sites operating under the Belgian domain “.be.” The KSC will actively seek out websites that promote or offer gambling services without the necessary licenses, responding to a growing trend among young adults who, despite preferring licensed platforms, often visit unregulated sites.
According to the KSC’s report, the new protocol will streamline the process for removing illegal content from the internet, leveraging the expertise of DNS Belgium. This move is part of a broader initiative to ensure compliance with the Gambling Act of 7 May 1999, which governs the regulation of gambling in Belgium.
Implementation of New Measures
Gaming inspectors from the KSC will have the authority to report illegal content linked to “.be” domain names directly to DNS Belgium. Upon receiving such notifications, DNS Belgium will inform the domain name holders of their violations, referencing the terms and conditions they agreed to upon registration. If violations are confirmed, DNS Belgium may revoke the domain rights of the offending parties.
Furthermore, the internet provider will implement measures to redirect users from the problematic domains to a warning page managed by the Commission des Jeux de Hasard (CJH), effectively making the original gambling websites inaccessible through those domains. This proactive approach is designed to safeguard consumers and reinforce responsible gambling practices.
The KSC’s actions underscore its commitment to consumer protection and effective oversight within the gambling sector. As Belgium prepares to roll out additional enforcement tools, the focus remains on creating a safer environment for players while curbing illegal activities that undermine the integrity of the gambling landscape.
