TITLE: Belgium Transfers Gambling Commission Authority to Federal Economy Ministry
BODY:
On April 30, 2026, Belgium's Federal Government published legislation transferring regulatory authority over gambling and betting from the Ministry of Justice to the Federal Public Service for Economy, Small Businesses, the Middle Class and Energy (Federale Overheidsdienst Economie, K.M.O., Middenstand en Energie).
The law amends the Gaming, Betting, Gaming Establishments and Player Protection Act of May 7, 1999. Key changes include transferring ministerial oversight responsibilities from the Justice Minister to the Economy Minister across multiple articles governing gaming regulations. The amendments require that certain royal decrees—including those setting betting limits, gaming conditions, and supervision rules—must be deliberated in the Council of Ministers before implementation. The legislation also replaces references to the Justice Ministry with the Economy Ministry in provisions covering gaming authorisations, player protection measures, and regulatory oversight. Additionally, Article 77 of the original act, which previously governed certain procedural matters, is repealed.
The institutional restructuring consolidates gambling regulation under economic policy rather than justice administration, reflecting a shift in how Belgium categorises gaming oversight. This change affects all operators, betting services, gaming establishments, and player protection frameworks governed by the 1999 act.
The law enters into force on June 1, 2026, though the King may designate an earlier effective date. The Belgian Chamber of Representatives adopted the legislation on March 19, 2026.
**Reference:**
Belgian Official Gazette (Belgisch Staatsblad), April 30, 2026. https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi/article.pl?language=nl∑_date=2026-05-19≶_txt=n&numac_search=2026003301