Belgium’s gambling market rests on the Law of 7 May 1999 on games of chance, betting, gaming establishments and the protection of players (Wet van 7 mei 1999 op de kansspelen, de weddenschappen, de kansspelinrichtingen en de bescherming van de spelers). Every gambling activity in the country is licensed and supervised by the Belgian Gaming Commission.
This guide sets out the license classes, the requirements, the costs and taxes, and how long each license remains valid.
Belgian License Classes
Each activity has its own license class, with a “+” version for operators who also want to offer it online:
- A and A+: license A is required to open a casino; A+ is needed to also offer casino games and betting on the internet.
- B and B+: license B covers amusement arcades; B+ is needed to run this activity online.
- C: lets cafés and other venues that sell alcohol offer up to two gambling games, such as bingo and one-ball.
- F1, F2 and F+: licenses for bookmakers. F1 covers organizing bets, F2 covers taking bets on behalf of F1 holders, and F+ is required for online betting.
- E: for B2B companies, covering operations related to games of chance such as sale, rental, supply, import and export.
Why License in Belgium
All forms of gambling are legal in Belgium, online gambling included. Lawmakers have built a detailed framework with many license classes, some created specifically for online operators, so a Belgian license gives you access to a highly regulated market.
We help operators prepare and file Belgian license applications and set up compliant operations:
- Choosing the class: matching your business, land-based, online or B2B, to the right license or combination of licenses.
- Building the file: tax returns, director and shareholder details, proof of solvency, and the list and rules of your games.
- Operating compliantly: configuring the AML, KYC and responsible gambling tools in our casino platform before launch.
Requirements for Applicants
A and B licenses are open to EU residents and to companies registered in the EU. Applicants for A, B, E and F1 licenses must provide:
- Copies of tax returns for the last three years
- Details of directors and shareholders (for legal entities)
- Proof of the applicant’s solvency
- Information on the games to be offered
- The rules of those games
Warranties, Fees and Taxes
Each license type carries its own warranty:
| License | Warranty |
|---|---|
| A | €250,000 |
| B | €75,000 |
| F1 | €10,000 |
License holders also pay annual fees to renew their licenses.
Gambling taxes
- Casino operators pay 15% on the gross wagers amount (11% in the Walloon region).
- Horse and dog racing carries 15% on the gross margin.
- All online wagers are taxed at 11% of the gross margin, meaning the total amount wagered minus the prizes paid out.
- Casinos are also taxed on their gross margin according to the games they offer.
- A fixed tax applies to gaming machines in every establishment that holds an A, B or C license.
Application Procedure
The procedure differs by license type. The Belgian Gaming Commission must decide each request within a set timeframe that also depends on the license; for F1 licenses, for example, it has six months.
You start by completing an application form, which lets the Commission identify you and assess your suitability for the license. If you pass this step, you supply the documents listed above to show that you meet every requirement.
Validity and Maintenance
On top of the cost of obtaining a license, you pay an annual maintenance fee that depends on the license type, plus taxes of either 11% or 15% depending on your region and type of business. Licenses remain valid for:
- Class A: 15 years
- Class B: nine years
- Class C: five years
- Class E: ten years
- Class F: nine years
Unsure which Belgian license you need? Contact our team or email sales@igamingsoftwaresolutions.com.
