Key Takeaways
- The Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) has asked for its powers to be increased so that it can restrict play money gambling “apps.”
- The BGC, according to a report by gaming lawyers DLA Piper, believes that such apps increase the probability of minors accessing real money gambling thus putting themselves at risk of developing gambling problems.
- Many regulators in other countries have also expressed concerns about social gaming, particularly when the boundaries between real money gambling and social gaming prizes appear to be blurred.
The Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) has asked for its powers to be increased so that it can restrict play money gambling “apps.”
An open letter from the BGC published in Belgian newspapers in June asked the new government to increase the Commission’s staff and budget and give it power over social gaming.
The letter stated that operators “care little about age restrictions, let alone protective measures.” That theme has been repeated in the latest request which is based on the lack of a requirement for age verification when play money online poker or blackjack apps are downloaded.
