It also wanted to gauge the results of the increase in its the minimum gambling age from 18 to 21, which took effect on 1 September 2024.
The survey was carried out between 17 and 30 April 2025, and included a representative sample of 1,001 Belgian residents aged 18 to 30 years, stratified by gender, age, and region.
The goal was to examine awareness, usage, and influencing factors regarding both licensed and unlicensed gambling websites, and to compare the data to a similar study conducted in 2023.
The findings show that 94% of respondents recognised at least one licensed gambling website, while 44% recognised at least one unlicensed brand.
The spontaneous recognition of licensed sites has decreased slightly compared to 2023, while awareness of unlicensed platforms has increased.
Specifically, Unibet, Napoleon Games, and Casino777 were among the most frequently named licensed platforms, whereas Stake and bet365 were the most commonly recognised unlicensed sites.
Gambling behaviour remains prevalent despite the introduction of stricter regulations. Since September 2024, 53% of respondents had participated in either sports betting or other games of chance.
The newly imposed legal constraints have not significantly deterred gambling activity among young adults in general.
However, among 18 to 20-year-olds — who are now legally prohibited from gambling — the participation rate dropped significantly from 51% in 2023 to 39% in 2025.
Regarding gambling frequency, 47% of all respondents said they had not gambled since September 2024, while 30% were occasional gamblers, 13% gambled weekly, and 10% did so daily.
Disparity emerges in online gambling
The frequency of online gambling showed a decline in high-frequency (weekly or more) s, though the proportion of monthly s increased.This shift may indicate a moderation in behaviour rather than a full deterrent effect.
When it comes to the channels used for gambling, 48% of the respondents had gambled via websites, and 37% used physical locations.
The proportion of online gamblers engaging in games of chance (excluding sports betting) rose from 28% in 2023 to 34% in 2025, suggesting that digital gambling continues to gain traction.
Data on the actual use of gambling websites showed that 84% of those who gambled did so on regulated websites, while 28% used unlicensed ones.
A significant 19% used both licensed and unlicensed platforms, with 8% reporting they gambling exclusively on unlicensed websites. Among 18 to 20-year-olds, 76% reported using licensed platforms, while 20% reported having used unlicensed ones.
The choice of gambling websites was reported to be influenced primarily by social factors and media exposure. Recommendations from friends were cited as the most decisive factor in choosing a platform by 32% of respondents.
This was followed by social media advertising (22%), television commercials (13%), and sponsorship during sports events (12%).
In particular, younger respondents and students placed more weight on TV advertising, while older participants and women reported being more influenced by search engine ments.
Regional and demographic variations were also significant. Men, residents of Brussels, and employed individuals were found more likely to be familiar with and use unlicensed websites.
In contrast, women and residents of Flanders were more likely to stick exclusively to locally licensed platforms.
Overall, while awareness of licensed websites remained high, and usage of unlicensed websites is not yet dominant, the gradual rise in recognition and usage of unlicensed platforms raised concerns for the regulator.
