According to figures by their Minister of Finance, 90 thousand Belgians spent around 27 million euros per year on online gambling. That would make an average of €25 for each gambler per month.

In response to parliamentarian questions last week, the Minister admitted that Belgium does not control internet gambling, something that is illustrated by the laisser-faire politics on advertising for on-line gambling. Although the activity of online gaming is illegal in Belgium, there is massive advertising by off-shore operators that remains unpunished.

The Minister is currently waiting for the outcome of a study on compulsive gambling that would form a basis of new government policy. Regulating online gaming is one of the options mentioned by government officials.