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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 Additionally, Article 77 of the original act, which previously governed certain procedural matters, is repealed.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

On May 19, 2026, the Belgian government published a law amending the Gambling Act of 7 May 1999 to transfer the Belgian Gambling Commission and competence over gambling regulation from the Federal Public Service (FPS) Justice to the FPS Economy, SMEs, Self-Employed and Energy. The amendments primarily replace references to FPS Justice and the Minister of Justice with FPS Economy and the Minister of Economy throughout the Gambling Act. Certain provisions also expand the involvement of the Minister of Economy in decision-making processes relating to gambling oversight. The law additionally introduces procedural amendments requiring several implementing measures by the King to be adopted following deliberation in the Council of Ministers. These amendments apply across various supervisory and implementation provisions of the Act. The reform does not introduce substantive changes to licensing requirements, player protection measures, advertising restrictions or technical obligations. Rather, it represents an institutional transfer of regulatory responsibility and may indicate a broader shift toward an economic and consumer protection-focused approach to gambling supervision in Belgium. The law enters into force on June 1, 2026, unless an earlier date is determined by the King.

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Belgium Transfers Gambling Commission Authority to Federal Economy Ministry

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Belgium adopts law transferring gambling oversight to Federal Economy Ministry