As of yesterday (September 1), Belgium has officially raised the minimum age for all forms of gambling to 21 years old. This change was implemented through a law passed on February 18, 2024, which regulates the minimum age for various forms of gambling activities (including online and physical locations).
The new regulations affect all gambling venues and activities regulated by Belgian gambling laws. Previously, the minimum age varied by type of gambling: Belgians had to be 21 to gamble in casinos and on slot machines (whether online or retail). However, the minimum age for online or retail betting was 18 years old.
VAD, the professional center for alcohol, illegal drugs, psychotropic drugs, gambling, and gaming in the Flanders region, has been advocating for this new regulation, claiming that this legislative change is a "cost-effective" way to curb youth addiction.
Global Gambling Age Requirements Comparison
This legislative update aligns Belgium with several other countries that have strict age requirements for gambling. For example, in the United States, the minimum age for most gambling activities is 21, but some states allow 18-year-olds to participate in specific types of gambling activities, such as lotteries and horse racing. Similarly, in Singapore, the legal gambling age to enter casinos is 21, while Australia sets the minimum gambling age at 18.
Compared to neighboring countries, Belgium's new regulations are stricter. For example, in France, the legal age for most gambling activities remains 18, as it is in Germany, although there are slight variations between federal states. However, Maltese citizens must wait until their 25th birthday to be allowed into casinos.
