The Gaming Commission has published the results of a survey of Belgian players that says that one in four players who have used the self-exclusion tools have still managed to evade blocks and start gambling again.
In a survey of self-exclusion players using EPIS, a majority of them said that they felt it helped, but a quarter of them found a way around it. However, 90.2% said the scheme helped them better manage their finances and 87.1% said it helped them feel better, and 80.1% said it lowered their desire to play.
However, of the group that said they got around the blockade, 33.8% said they did so through the black market, 31.1% said they used the National Lottery’s retail products, 24.3% said they used online products, and 25.7% said they used gaming machines at cafes.
Gaming Commission chair Magali Clavie said the scheme should be expanded to cover unlicensed gambling.
“We also see that some respondents continue to feel the urge to gamble or even continue to gamble in places where EPIS does not apply,” he said. “This is probably due to the fact that the temptation and supply of games of chance that are not covered by EPIS remain high and that too few gamblers seek specialist help.
“Therefore, the EPIS system should be extended to all types of gambling, the fight against illegal gambling should be continued, advertising for these excluded persons should be restricted and both the EPIS system and the specialised assistance should be better known.”
