In an effort to protect the “youngest and most vulnerable parts of society” from dangerous effects of irresponsible and excessive gambling, Belgian government is considering raising the bar for online gambling from 18 to 21 years of age.
This initiative to introduce this legislation stems from the country's Christian Democratic and Flemish party (CD&V), only one month after a separate initiative that seeks a reform in regulations regarding gambling advertising on TV.
According to latest the research, one in five underage Belgian youth now engage in some form of online gambling, most notably sports betting, which is the most popular form of gambling for this demographic. To halt this trend of gambling sites becoming widely popular with teenagers, online sports betting sites will need to raise the age limit to 21– similar to what online casinos have already done in this country.
Belgium has legalized all forms of gambling in 1999, but the bill was revised in 2010 in order to recognize and validate the advent of gambling into the internet realm. In Belgium, it is also punishable by law to partake in online gambling activities on unauthorized sites and operators. It is estimated that around 15% of gambling patrons use the unregulated operators.
The TV advertising bill that was discussed in Belgian parliament last month is supposed to revise the way gambling is advertised during peak hours. It would put ban on all gambling ads before 8 PM and prohibit them from airing during sport events. Also, the current regulation that encourages gambling operators to place warning texts next to their ads could go from voluntary to obligatory.
norman222
6 years ago
To me it is quite weird, cause even if they are involved in online gambling, how could they withdraw with all the verfication processes around? Maybe if they knew that evne if they win, still they cannot claim the money, then they would not gamble. Why to punish adults who are responsible in between 18-21
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coolsongss
6 years ago
If one in five underage youth is engaging in online gambling, it is quite bad sign. If it is just online PC/Mobile game like RPG, it would be not that bad, but, it is a gambling, it could lead to more serious problem... I think that the minimum age should be raised, too.
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Sylvanas
6 years ago
Make it 30 and be done with it already! Add a mandatory psychiatric evaluation too, why not? They'd do better to address important issues like black market groups and customer protection and support measures, instead of wasting time on subjects which are trivial in a current climate. We don't miraculously evolve into...
Make it 30 and be done with it already! Add a mandatory psychiatric evaluation too, why not? They'd do better to address important issues like black market groups and customer protection and support measures, instead of wasting time on subjects which are trivial in a current climate. We don't miraculously evolve into smarter or more responsible individuals in just three years - it makes no difference! Then change the cut-off age limit in other areas as well, warfare for example, like Jade pointed out!
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Sydney
6 years ago
That's a good initiative. As gambling is becoming extremely popular among teenagers, measures need to be taken to protect young population from issues related to irresponsible and excessive gambling. Gambling should be prohibited for people under 21.
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jade
6 years ago
I've seen this kind of thing happen in some US states with alcohol, cigarettes, hell, even driver licenses! A few people believe this age increase makes a difference. I think it just makes them want to do it even more and they will find a way! I don't think It's a good idea, 18-20's year old get a taste of it and now...
I've seen this kind of thing happen in some US states with alcohol, cigarettes, hell, even driver licenses! A few people believe this age increase makes a difference. I think it just makes them want to do it even more and they will find a way! I don't think It's a good idea, 18-20's year old get a taste of it and now you're going to take it away......... Every time something like this happens in the US, the protest statement is the same; "If I can go to war and die for my country at age 18, then I should be able to......................... and I agree!
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cheztwins
6 years ago
Wow! That's wild. I can't imagine having TV commercials for online gambling. In USA we have the random rogue advertisement for online Poker , which is gambling I guess but we do not have commercials in my state of Oregon on TV for online gambling. Even Las Vegas Advertisements only show a small glmpae of the casino gaming...
Wow! That's wild. I can't imagine having TV commercials for online gambling. In USA we have the random rogue advertisement for online Poker , which is gambling I guess but we do not have commercials in my state of Oregon on TV for online gambling. Even Las Vegas Advertisements only show a small glmpae of the casino gaming area when advertising on TV. most of the advertisment focuses o. The family aspects of the Hotel Casino. We do have commercials on the radio for Land Based casinos. That seems relatively new still though. And the age for gambling legally of video Poker machines, state run, is 21.
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