Belgium’s new gambling law enhances cybersecurity through stringent age verification

Belgium is enhancing its gambling regulations by raising the legal age for all forms of gambling from 18 to 21, effective by September 1, 2024.

Legislative changes for gambling and betting   

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his change, as reported in Gambling Industry News, is a key update in a series of revisions to the Gambling Act of 7/05/1999, as detailed in the Belgian Official Gazette. This legislative shift is designed to bolster protections against the potential harms of gambling, particularly among youth. The new regulations apply uniformly to various activities, including sports betting, bingo, and arcade games, aligning them with the existing age restrictions for land-based casinos. The Belgian Gaming Commission has confirmed this increase, marking a significant step in the country’s commitment to promoting responsible gambling.

To enforce this change, online gambling platforms are mandated to refund bets placed by underage users and return stakes made without proper age verification. These platforms are now required to implement state-of-the-art age verification processes. This includes the use of biometric technologies, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, which provide a more reliable method of confirming a user’s age than traditional methods. 

Strengthening verification processes 

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) further enhances these verification processes. These technologies are adept at analysing patterns in large datasets to detect anomalies and potential fraud, significantly improving the accuracy and efficiency of age checks. This approach not only ensures compliance with new regulations but also helps in identifying and preventing underage gambling.

Additionally, these regulations necessitate the adoption of robust cybersecurity measures to protect personal data. Online gambling sites are required to employ advanced security protocols, including data encryption and secure data storage, to safeguard user information against breaches. This comprehensive security framework is essential for maintaining the integrity of the gambling platforms and ensuring that all gambling activities are conducted within the legal framework.

The expected impact of these regulatory enhancements is substantial. By increasing the gambling age and implementing stringent verification and security measures, Belgium aims to reduce gambling activities among its youth and address the risks associated with gambling addiction. These steps not only help curb underage gambling but also reinforce the overall security framework, enhancing safety for all stakeholders within the gambling ecosystem. This proactive strategy demonstrates Belgium’s commitment to creating a safer and more responsible gambling environment, effectively addressing the evolving challenges of the gambling industry in today’s digital age. 

Find out how TrustCloud can help you fit into the new gaming regulations with the most advanced verification methods