Belgium Launches Initiative to Combat Illegal Gambling Through Partnership with DNS Belgium
Belgium’s New Six-Year Gambling Strategy
At the beginning of September, Belgium unveiled a comprehensive six-year plan aimed at transforming the gambling sector in the country. This strategic initiative was accompanied by significant appointments within the Kansspelcommissie (KSC), the official regulator overseeing gambling activities in Belgium.
Key Collaboration with DNS Belgium
The KSC, established under the Gambling Act of May 7, 1999, has entered into a crucial partnership with DNS Belgium, the nation’s primary internet service provider. Starting from December 15, this collaboration will intensify efforts to identify and eliminate illegal gambling operations online. The main objective of the regulator remains to safeguard players and ensure that gambling activities are channeled through legal and authorized platforms.
Crackdown on .be Domains Hosting Unauthorized Gambling Sites
As part of the enforcement measures announced on the regulator’s official platform, investigators will specifically target websites using the “.be” domain extension that advertise or facilitate gambling without proper authorization. The focus will be on swiftly detecting unauthorized gambling platforms and taking prompt action against them.
According to the commission’s report, the purpose of this new protocol is to streamline the removal of illegal gambling content on the internet with the assistance of DNS Belgium.
Earlier in the year, a study commissioned by the KSC highlighted that although most young adults in Belgium prefer legal gambling sites, a considerable number still visit unlicensed platforms.
Enforcement Procedures and Domain Name Restrictions
Inspectors from the Gaming Commission will have the authority to notify DNS Belgium when illegal gambling content is found on websites using a “.be” domain. Upon such notification, DNS Belgium will inform the domain owner that their use of the domain breaches the provider’s general terms.
Violating these terms may lead to DNS Belgium revoking the owner’s rights to use the domain name. Additionally, the problematic domain will be redirected to a warning page managed by the Commission des Jeux de Hasard (CJH), making the original gambling website inaccessible through that domain.
Commitment to Player Protection and Future Enforcement
The commission’s announcement underscores its dedication to protecting consumers and players by enhancing oversight and introducing effective enforcement tools. This partnership with DNS Belgium marks a significant step towards creating a safer and more regulated online gambling environment in Belgium.
