The Belgian Kansspelcommissie has published its findings on the status of wagering within the nation for 2022. The key insight? Belgians have a fondness for games of chance! They went all in during 2022, shelling out a hefty €14.5 billion ($15.8 billion) across diverse forms of gambling. This signifies a substantial leap of 23.9% in contrast to 2021.
The document, encompassing the timeframe from January 1st to December 31st, 2022, reveals an intriguing interplay between internet-based and brick-and-mortar gambling. Although digital gambling maintains the dominant portion at 54.9%, offline wagering mounted a powerful resurgence, skyrocketing by a considerable 65.7% compared to the preceding year. This revival is largely credited to the relaxation of pandemic limitations, enabling individuals to revisit their preferred casinos, gaming establishments, and cafes.
Speaking of these locations, they constituted the foundation of offline wagering, attracting the majority of earnings. Notably, low-stakes diversions such as bingo and those encountered in cafes played a substantial part, accounting for 33% of the offline sum.
In the digital realm, internet casino platforms reigned supreme, claiming the largest piece of the online gambling pie at 47.3%. Following closely were websites specializing in virtual gaming spaces and online wagering, both hovering around the 26% mark.
The report depicts a gambling scene in Belgium that is dynamic and recuperating effectively from the effects of the pandemic. While internet-based gambling persists in its popularity, the appeal of in-person wagering encounters remains potent, contributing to a flourishing industry as a whole.
The study emphasizes a substantial resurgence in physical casino visitation during 2022, resulting in a twofold increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR) relative to 2021. This surge propelled the GGR to unprecedented heights, with nine casinos surpassing €500 million in collective earnings.
Each land-based casino in Belgium witnessed a GGR upswing, exceeding even the pre-pandemic figures of 2019. Casino Brussels emerged as a dominant player, securing a significant portion of over 40% of the overall revenue.
Internet gambling also registered growth, with the nine licensed online casinos experiencing a 16% climb in GGR. The Spa casino platform spearheaded online earnings. However, the total figures were moderated by a decrease in Middelkerke casino’s GGR, attributed to the withdrawal of supplementary licenses.
A September 2023 poll by the Belgian Gaming Commission unveiled some worrisome patterns. The poll suggested that 13% of respondents gamble on a daily basis, and a mere 36% could confidently differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate gambling websites.
