New amendments from the government have introduced restrictions for Belgian newsagents across betting times, stakes, and advertising.
As defined by the Belgian Gaming Commission, the new restrictions are designed to limit the degree of income these newsagents can make from betting.
Belgian newsagents can now only accept wagers between 06:00 and 20:00, and total stakes per outlet per year must not exceed €250,000 (approx. £208,000).
Newsagents will also need to display at least 200 different daily, weekly, and monthly publications, with sales of at least €25,000 (approx. £20,800). Outlets will also be required to have no more than three square metres of advertising space dedicated to betting, inside and out, and this advertising should also be no more than 20% of the total advertising seen.
Those newsagents who currently hold an F2 licence will have until January 1, 2023, to comply with the new rules and regulations. These include having no more than four terminals that can process bets, and a 20% cap on betting revenue as part of the newsagent’s total annual turnover.
Other rules must be complied with immediately, such as having an agreement in place with an operator with an F1 license.
Newsagents who refuse to comply with the new arrangements will be invited to surrender their F2 license or will risk sanctions.
