In addition, casinos, gambling halls, and betting shops must remain closed between 11:30pm and 6:00am to comply with the regulations. Customers are required to register their details for contact tracing upon arrival. The sale of food and drink onsite is prohibited. Additionally, in line with the public health guidelines in Belgium, customers are obligated to wear masks while visiting these establishments.
After the temporary closure in March due to the pandemic, betting shops in Belgium began to reopen in June. Casinos followed suit on 1 July, allowing visitors to enjoy their favorite casino games. Contact sports contests also resumed around the same time.
In light of the increased accessibility to online services during the lockdown, the Belgian government extended advice to citizens on protecting themselves from problem gambling. They encouraged those experiencing gambling-related harm to self-exclude from online operators. Furthermore, individuals concerned about their gambling behavior were urged to contact the ‘SOS Jeux’ helpline for guidance and support.
