In a landmark ruling that will significantly reshape the European gaming landscape, Belgium’s Constitutional Court has mandated the expansion of gambling-ban checks to include online lottery games and gaming in bars.
The court determined that the existing legal exemptions for these sectors were discriminatory and failed to provide equal protection to all citizens.
Closing the EPIS Verification Gap
Historically, only formal gambling facilities in Belgium were required to screen players against the Excluded Persons Information System (EPIS). The new ruling annuls these exemptions, meaning that venues such as local bars, which often host limited gaming machines, must now adopt the same rigorous verification standards as major casinos.
Recognizing the technical hurdles involved in this transition, the court has allowed a grace period: the current exemptions will remain in force until December 31, 2027, providing lawmakers and small venues time to implement the necessary infrastructure.
Online Lottery and the Age 21 Mandate
The ruling of Belgium’s Constitutional Court also targets the National Lottery, specifically its digital portfolio. Judges declared that online lottery products carry social risks comparable to other forms of online gambling and must therefore be subject to prior EPIS checks.
Furthermore, the court has imposed a minimum age of 21 for these games, aligning the National Lottery with the wider regulated market.
This decision is a significant blow to the National Lottery’s previous compliance standards but is viewed by consumer advocates as a vital step toward a unified safety framework. Lawmakers have until the end of this year to resolve the discrepancies in the law, ensuring that the Belgian market operates under a single, high standard of player protection regardless of the vertical or channel.
