BAGO, the Belgian Association of Gaming Operators, is calling for the age limit for participating in the country’s national lottery to be increased, despite a recent drop in the rate of youths participating in gambling activities. The current age limit for playing the lottery in Belgium is 18 years old, but BAGO is proposing that it be increased to 21 in order to further protect young people from the potential harms of gambling.
The call for an increase in the lottery age limit comes after recent data revealed that the rate of youths engaging in gambling activities has been on the decline. According to a report released by the Belgian Gaming Commission, the number of young people between the ages of 16 and 18 who participated in gambling activities fell from 78% in 2016 to 61% in 2021.
Despite this positive trend, BAGO is concerned about the potential risks associated with youths participating in gambling activities, particularly through the national lottery. The association argues that increasing the age limit to 21 will provide an additional safeguard for young people, as they continue to develop their decision-making and financial management skills.
In addition to calling for an increase in the age limit, BAGO is also advocating for stricter regulations and measures to prevent underage gambling. This includes implementing age verification technologies, conducting regular checks to ensure compliance with age restrictions, and providing educational programs to raise awareness about the risks of gambling among young people.
The proposal to increase the age limit for participating in the national lottery has sparked debate among stakeholders in the gambling industry, with some supporting BAGO’s call for greater protection for young people, while others argue that existing regulations are sufficient to prevent underage gambling.
As discussions continue, the Belgian Gaming Commission is expected to review the recommendations put forth by BAGO and other industry stakeholders. Ultimately, the decision to increase the age limit for the national lottery will require careful consideration of the potential impacts on both young people and the broader gambling industry in Belgium.