A crackdown on identity checks of gamblers has resulted in the closure of nine betting shops. During inspections, authorities shut down 63 machines and confiscated €40,000, according to Le Soir.
Since December 2023, betting shops have been required to check clients' identities, ensuring they are not on a blacklist of individuals excluded from gambling – a process known as 'Epis control'. A series of checks carried out by the Belgian Gaming Commision (BGC) have led to nine closures.
Following a legal reminder, the BGC physically inspected about 50 establishments out of the existing 437 betting shops in Belgium in anticipation of a busy summer sports season involving both the UEFA European Football Championship and the Olympic Games.
Credit: Belga / John Thys
In nine shops, no Epis controls were being carried out. A total of 63 machines were sealed and €40,000 confiscated. In five other instances, Epis controls were not being conducted as frequently as needed, resulting in official reports being filed. In addition, the BGC will follow up with around 50 establishments where breaches were identified.
Failure to implement Epis controls constitutes a criminal offence. The majority of cases will end up in the hands of the BGC, which has the power to impose fines ranging from €200 to €200,000. The regulator can also impose administrative punishments such as license withdrawal or suspension.
Addiction on the rise
Gambling addictions have exploded in Belgium in recent years in part due to changing legislation. Online gambling was legalised in 2010 and gambling advertising was deregulated in 2021. In the same year, the number of people gambling rose from 800,000 to 2.1 million.
Epis control was introduced in a bid to stymie the harmful social consequences of addiction. There are almost 180,000 people currently on the list: 52,036 at their own initiative, 971 at the request of a relative, 64,490 due to debt settlement and 60,000 due to their profession.
According to the BGC, Epis control blocked 3,193 visits to betting agencies between January and March 2024. Online, around 25,000 connections are blocked each month.
