The online gambling market worldwide has experienced significant growth in recent years due to the increased popularity of internet-based betting and gambling activities. More people are turning to online gambling and entertainment because of advancements in technology and the availability of high-speed internet.

While the online gambling market presents significant growth opportunities, there are challenges, regulatory oversight being key among them. As in other world markets, the regulatory body in Belgium (KSC) faces concerns regarding problem gambling or addiction and the protection of players, leading to increased scrutiny and regulation. 

 Interesting Projections for the Belgian Online Gambling Market in 2023:

✓ Revenue in the online gambling market is projected to reach US$824.80m in 2023.

✓ Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate of 6.85%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$1,075m by 2027.

✓ The online sports betting market has a projected market volume of US$395.40m in 2023.

✓ In global comparison, most revenue will be generated in the United States (US$19,140.00m in 2023).

✓ The average revenue per user (ARPU) is projected to amount to US$820 in 2023.

✓ The number of users is expected to amount to 1,238.00k users by 2027.

✓ User penetration in the online gambling market will be at 8.6% in 2023.

These projections are based on the previous and current market changes, with relevant adjustments made to compensate for growth and losses.

 Division of the Belgian Gambling Market by GGR

The Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) is the difference between the wagered amounts and the won amounts. In 2021, the GGR of the gambling sector in Belgium was worth slightly more than € 1.2 billion, of which 67,20% was for online gaming and 37,80% for offline gaming.

It is interesting to note that prior to the Corona crisis of 2020/21, the offline gaming sector was larger than the online gaming sector in Belgium.

2019 Offline - €713,028,176.22 GGR - 60.50%

2019 Online - €466,002,182.30 GGR - 39.50%

2019 Total - €1,179,030,358.52 GGR - 100.00% 

A large part of the offline gaming sector was still closed in 2021, explaining why the GGR for offline gaming remained below the amounts of years before - although slightly higher than the previous year (€397m in 2021 vs €373m in 2020, an increase of 6.40%). 

2021 Offline - €397,094,901.19 GGR - 32.80%

2021 Online - €812,763,527.57 GGR - 67.20%

2021 Total - €1,209,858,428.76 GGR - 100.00%

Online gaming distribution of GGR in 2021 was made up of casino websites in the first place, with a market share of 44.20. This was followed by websites of gaming machines at 29.28% and betting (26.52%).                                              

 Shift From Offline To online casinos

It is clear that in the past 5 years, the center of gravity of the casino games market has shifted in terms of GGR from offline to online casinos, with an online casino market share of over 85%. In 2021, license holders for casinos set a total GGR of €417.996,988.21 - a new record.

Offline - €58,870,424.46 total - 14.08%

Online - €359,126,563.75 total - 85.92%

Total - €417,996,988.21 total - 100.00%

In 2021, an average of €4,424.33 was wagered per player account at online casinos, including original stake amounts and re-wagered winnings.

For physical or offline casinos, the average annual bets per visitor amounted to €2,188.16 in 2021. The following data shows that online casinos attracted more players than offline casinos by the number of visitors in 2020 and 2021. 

 Offline Data:                   

Number of Visitors - 680,016 in 2020 vs 448,045 in 2021                        

Total Stake - €956,029,583.54 in 2020 vs €976,017,780 in 2021

Average Daily Yield - €285,193.90 in 2020 vs €324,057 in 2021

Offline GGR - €54,947,358.90 in 2020 vs €58,870,424 in 2021

 Online Data: 

Number of Players - 2,241,872 in 2020 vs 2,266,254 in 2021

Total Stake - €7,768,951,563.19 in 2020 vs €10,026,647,923 in 2021 

Average Daily Yield - €759,337.63 in 2020 vs €983,908 in 2021

Online GGR - €277,917,570.86 in 2020 vs €359,126,564 in 2021

The total spent was far higher at online sites, due partly to the Corona crisis, but since that situation has abated, the trend has been clear. There is a definite shift to online gambling, whether by simple headcount or the sums of money invested.

 The Fight Against Illegal Online Gambling Sites

In 2022 the government continued to focus on illegal online gambling. Illegal websites have been added to a blacklist by the Belgian regulator, the KSC. ISPs are also required to block access to these websites in Belgium. A total of 98 online gambling websites were added to the KSC blacklist in 2022.

The Belgian online gambling market has demonstrated some remarkable growth, and the industry has proven to be soundly regulated. The problem areas of illegal or unlicensed operators are being managed, and the country’s regulator, working with the Belgian government, has been proactive in the management of problem gambling and addiction.