The Belgian Gaming Commission has issued its findings on the nation’s gambling landscape in 2022, revealing a robust comeback for brick-and-mortar gambling and sustained expansion in the digital realm.
The document, ratified at the Commission’s assembly on December 6th, 2023, indicates that aggregate gambling proceeds for the year exceeded €14.5 billion (equivalent to $15.8 billion USD), with internet gambling constituting a slim majority at 54.9% of the sector.
Land-based gambling experienced a substantial resurgence, surging by 65.7% compared to 2021 as the industry rebounded from closures stemming from the pandemic. This brought it near pre-pandemic figures, although betting establishments and newsstands, while witnessing heightened activity, haven’t entirely recuperated. Casinos, gaming venues, and cafes persist as the top earners in this domain, with low-stakes amusements, notably bingo terminals in cafes, proving exceptionally favored.
Concurrently, online gambling maintained its upward trajectory with a 2.6% increment. Similar to preceding years, internet casino diversions spearheaded the growth, trailed by automated gaming platforms and subsequently sports wagering.
During the year 2022, physical casinos experienced a powerful resurgence! They witnessed a massive influx of patrons, and their overall gaming income (referring to actual earnings, not merely wagers made) increased twofold in comparison to the preceding year. We’re discussing unprecedented figures here – nine gambling establishments collectively amassed over half a billion euros! That signifies a substantial amount of activity at the gaming tables.
Each of these land-based casinos observed their earnings ascend beyond even pre-pandemic levels of 2019. The gambling venue in Brussels undoubtedly emerged as the frontrunner, attracting a remarkable 40% of the total revenue.
Shifting our focus to internet gambling, the nine authorized online casinos operating in Belgium recorded a respectable 16% rise in their earnings, with the Spa casino’s digital platform leading the way. Conversely, the Middelkerke casino’s online venture suffered a setback due to the loss of certain licenses. Notably, a study conducted by the Belgian Gaming Commission in September 2023 indicated that while 13% of respondents engaged in gambling on a daily basis, a surprisingly meager 36% possessed the ability to differentiate between a legitimate and an illegitimate gambling website – a point worth pondering!