Belgium is moving toward tighter gambling regulation after a landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court that mandates universal player-protection checks across all channels, including bars and online lottery platforms. The decision eliminates long-standing exemptions and significantly raises compliance requirements for operators.

The court ruled that gambling-ban checks must apply equally to all gambling formats, extending the use of the Excluded Persons Information System (EPIS) beyond licensed venues to include gaming activities in bars. Judges found it discriminatory that some operators were required to screen players against the national exclusion register while others were not, prompting the annulment of existing exemptions.

Although the exemptions for bars have been struck down, they will remain temporarily in force until December 31, 2027, giving lawmakers time to revise the regulatory framework and ensure full implementation of the new rules.

The Decision

In a separate but equally impactful decision, the court imposed stricter controls on online lottery products operated by the National Lottery. These offerings must now include mandatory pre-play gambling-ban checks and adhere to a newly established minimum age limit of 21.

The ruling underscores that online lottery games present similar risks to other forms of digital gambling, requiring consistent safeguards. As a result, Belgium’s National Lottery will need to align its operations with the stricter compliance standards already enforced across the broader online gambling sector.

Lawmakers are now under pressure to close regulatory gaps and deliver a unified system by the end of the transition period, marking a significant shift in Belgium’s approach to responsible gambling enforcement.