It is easy to tell when you are crossing the Belgium-France border through the proliferation of automatic gaming halls and gambling establishments you pass, particularly in border municipalities such as Hainaut.
These establishments, devoid of human dealers and focused on slot machines and automated roulettes, dot the landscape, providing a stark contrast as one moves closer to the border, Le Soir reports.
Quiévrain, situated in Hainaut, offers a striking example: Casino Circus stands on one side of Rue de Valenciennes, while across the street, a Family Game Centre shares its façade with a prominent Golden Vegas sign. Such scenes are replicated in various places along the border as you near France, underlining the prevalence of these gaming establishments.
The staggering concentration of these gaming halls near the border is no coincidence. While Belgium restricts the number of licenses for such establishments nationwide, municipalities near France have become hotspots due to the absence of similar venues across the border. This phenomenon finds explanation in the disparities in gambling regulations and availability between the two countries.
Operators on the Belgian side of the border report significant patronage from French customers, with over 80% of clientele in some establishments hailing from across the border.
Contrary to perceptions, French players exhibit a more relaxed approach to gambling, viewing it primarily as a leisure activity. This contrast in gambling culture is reflected in average bet sizes and duration of stay in gaming halls. Despite these insights, precise data on player profiles and behaviours remain elusive, with the Belgian Gaming Commission's reports offering limited insights.
While municipalities occasionally express concerns about hosting gambling establishments, especially regarding potential nuisances, such as noise, the overall sentiment is nuanced.
Many municipalities, especially those along major transport routes, have come to embrace these establishments as integral parts of their commercial landscapes, acknowledging the strategic significance of these venues and the indirect benefits they bring, such as increased security and economic activity.
However, the relationship between municipalities and gaming operators isn't without tension. Attempts to levy additional taxes on operators have met resistance, with operators arguing that they already contribute significantly to regional and federal coffers.
Nonetheless, operators express a willingness to engage with local communities through sponsorships and charity initiatives, although recent regulatory changes have curtailed such activities.
