Belgium Looks to Ban Single Gambling Account Access

Belgium’s government proposes further amendments to its gambling laws, focusing specifically on player access this time. The trade association for gambling operators in the region opposes the suggested legislation that would force players to use multiple accounts for one brand with different verticals.

The original bill, introduced in 2019 in the Chamber of Representatives, prohibited platforms from offering sportsbook and casino services under one URL. Lawmakers postponed discussions relating to the bill for two years. According to the Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO), they now seek to implement reckless rules.

Should the government move forward with the proposal, BAGO expresses concern that it will compromise player protection in the country.

 Red Tape

The new coalition government in Belgium proposes an amendment to online gambling laws, where players must have separate user accounts for different games of chance. This essentially means that if a player participates in casino games like slots and enjoys betting on sports events, they need separate accounts for each, although one brand offers both services.

Lawmakers from the previous government proposed and implemented the prohibition of accessing different games of chance from one portal or URL. For the past two years, players could access the different URLs from one provider with a single account login.

In Belgium, operators need different licences for each vertical they offer and so the new government motions for separate player accounts. The proposed amendment read:

“It is not permitted to use the same player account for participation in games of chance that are operated on the basis of different licences.”

Belgium’s Gaming Commission (BGC) believes the current law to operate different URLs does not have a significant impact on player behaviour.

 Compromised Protection

BAGO warns the Belgian government that these prohibitions and multiple user accounts may have detrimental consequences for both the players and the regulated industry. The trade association expressed its concern by stating the impact these steps may have and labelled the proposition as “a serious threat to consumer protection.”

According to BAGO, managing numerous gambling accounts complicates essential aspects of the player protection sphere. Players may find it increasingly difficult to keep track of their gambling expenses with multiple accounts.

Operators suddenly need to track more than one account per user, making it very difficult to paint a holistic picture of the player’s gambling behaviour. This data is imperative for effective player protection protocols.

 Inverse Channelisation

A further threat posed by the complicated process of maintaining multiple accounts is an increase in black market gambling. Players who turn to unregulated sites for ease of access become vulnerable to unscrupulous providers who, by definition, operate outside of the law and do not offer responsible gambling. The association said:

“BAGO, therefore, advocates maintaining the single-player accounts per operator and thus offering more, better, and substantiated player protection.”

BAGO finally asserts that should the government move forward with the ban on single account access. Operators may not be able to synthesise information on at-risk gamblers and problematic gambling behaviour. Therefore, government and academics would find it challenging to develop and implement updated policies.