Gambling in Belgium only from 21 years of age

It is generally proven that young adults are particularly susceptible to the temptations of gambling. Brain development, especially in terms of impulse control and decision-making, is not yet fully complete in this group, which makes them more susceptible than average to the emotional stimuli of such offers. Quick wins and high adrenaline rushes are critical. In order to minimize these risks, Belgium decided to raise the minimum age for almost all games of chance to 21. In Germany, the Greens recently spoke out in favor of standardizing age regulations.

What is strange is that a recent study by the Flemish Center of Excellence for Alcohol and Other Drugs shows that the number of young gamblers in Belgium has fallen in the last year. In addition, the minimum age for lotteries remains at 18, which raises the question of why this form of gambling is exempted when it can also contribute to problematic gambling behavior?

The Belgian step towards more comprehensive prevention therefore appears to be partly inconsistent. These developments provide an opportunity to take a look at other countries with age restrictions that are sometimes very different.

Minimum age up to 21, but many Belgians do not even know that they have to be of legal age to play certain games of chance

Belgium has decided to raise the minimum age for almost all types of gambling to 21 in order to better protect young people from the risks. This decision was made in February 2024 and ratified by royal decree in September 2024.

However, a recent study shows that participation in such offers among young people in Belgium is already declining. The report, which examined the behavior of young people in relation to gambling, drugs, alcohol and social media, covers the period 2022-2023. Only 9.7 percent of young people said they had played scratch cards in the last year, which is the lowest figure since the surveys began (incidentally, such tickets are a serious problem in the Czech Republic). Participation in lotteries (5.3 percent) and poker (2.3 percent) is also at historic lows. This suggests that previous efforts to prevent gambling problems among young people have already had an effect.

Nevertheless, the study also identified a rather alarming fact. In fact, only 77.6 percent of respondents were aware that you have to be at least 18 years old to buy a scratch card. This is particularly worrying because knowing the age restrictions is of course crucial for gambling responsibly.

BAGO, the association of private gambling operators in Belgium, has been critical of the new regulation. They argue that the exception for the national lottery, which remains accessible to people aged 18 and over, is inconsistent:

“We find it illogical that the increase in the minimum age to 21 does not apply to all products and therefore call for uniform protection for young people,” said those responsible.

Plus/minus 18: Special age restrictions for gambling worldwide

In most countries in the world, there is an age restriction of 18 for all types of gambling. However, there are some interesting exceptions.

Here you can actually play under 18

• Estonia: In Estonia, young people aged 16 and over can participate in the national lottery. However, other forms of gambling, such as online casinos and sports betting, are only permitted from the age of 18.
• United Kingdom: In the UK, the minimum age for most gambling is 18. However, there are exceptions, such as scratch cards, football pools (a type of football betting) and lotteries, in which people aged 16 and over can participate.
• Solomon Islands: In the Solomon Islands, people aged 16 and over are allowed to participate in certain small lotteries, mainly under parental supervision or in a private setting.
• Tuvalu: Similar to the Solomon Islands, people aged 16 and over are allowed to play in small lotteries in Tuvalu.

In many countries, you must be 21 years old

• USA: In many states in the USA, the minimum age for casino gambling is 21 years old, especially in states such as Nevada (Las Vegas) and New Jersey (Atlantic City). This applies to both land-based casinos and some online offers (incidentally, there are often particularly generous bonuses for online sports betting in the United States). However, some states allow lotteries, bingo or horse racing from the age of 18.
• Singapore: In Singapore, the minimum age for entering casinos is also 21 years old. This is especially true for the two large integrated resorts Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. Singapore has strict gambling laws, which are underlined by this age limit.
• Philippines: In the Philippines, the minimum age for playing in casinos is also 21 years old. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) strictly enforces the regulations.
• Malaysia: In Malaysia, gambling facilities such as those at Genting Highlands, the country’s largest casino, are only open to people aged 21 and over.
• Egypt: In Egypt, only non-Muslims are allowed to gamble – and the minimum age to enter casinos is 21. This rule is particularly strict in tourist areas.
• Cambodia: Cambodia only allows foreigners to enter casinos. Once again, people who are 21 or older are allowed to enter.
• South Korea: In South Korea, there are special casinos for tourists – and the minimum age to enter is once again 21. South Koreans are prohibited from gambling in most casinos, but there is one exception. At Kangwon Land Casino, the minimum age for locals is also 21.

Sometimes the age limit is even higher than 21 years

• Greece: In Greece, the minimum age for visiting casinos is 23 years. This regulation applies nationwide and is stricter than in many other European countries.
• Georgia and Malta: In licensed casinos in Georgia, the minimum age is 25 years. This is a special regulation for locals. Foreigners, on the other hand, are allowed to gamble from the age of 18. This regulation also applies to Malta.
• Uganda: In Uganda, the minimum age for entering casinos is generally 25 years, which is stricter than in most other countries worldwide. Uganda has relatively few casinos, but these age restrictions are rigorously enforced there.

Conclusion

By raising the minimum age to 21, Belgium is sending a strong signal for the prevention of problem gambling, even though gambling rates among young people are already declining. This step is likely to further reduce the already declining numbers – especially due to the additional hurdle of a higher age limit. The fact that lotteries are exempt from this rule seems strange, however – the criticism from BOGA is completely understandable.

A look at international age restrictions shows that very different practices exist worldwide. While gambling is permitted from the age of 18 in most countries, there are exceptions: in Estonia and Great Britain, in some cases, you can gamble from the age of 16. Countries such as the USA, Singapore and the Philippines require a minimum age of 21. In Greece and Uganda, it is even 23 and 25 respectively. Belgium is therefore in the upper range in international comparison.