Cryptocurrency Gambling in Belgium: Legality and Reliability of Online Casinos Decoded

Belgium is at a crossroads in the field of gambling, where the rise of cryptocurrencies is disrupting players’ habits and operators’ economic models. The global boom of online casinos accepting crypto-asset payments raises crucial questions among Belgian players: are these platforms legal? Are they truly reliable? Despite fierce competition in the market and a strong appetite for transaction flexibility, Belgian regulations maintain a strict framework, determining the legitimacy of crypto casinos on its territory.

Indeed, while cryptocurrencies attract attention due to their speed and a certain discretion observed in transactions, they do not necessarily guarantee a safe experience, especially in a context where legalization remains ambiguous. Financial security issues, traceability of operations, and player protection are essential elements that the Belgian Gaming Commission (CJH) emphasizes to firmly regulate the industry.

This in-depth analysis aims to unravel the legal complexity surrounding crypto online casinos in Belgium, detailing the risks linked to unregulated platforms while shedding light on the path toward compliant and secure alternatives. By exploring regulatory mechanisms, characteristics of cryptocurrencies, and operators’ practices, this article offers a clear and documented understanding of the choices faced by players and economic actors in this rapidly evolving sector.

State of Belgian legislation on online gambling in 2026

Belgian gambling legislation relies on a precise structure aimed at ensuring transparency and security in a sector where financial and social stakes are significant. The law of May 7, 1999, is the cornerstone of this regulation. It requires that any gambling activity intended for the public, whether physical or online, must be carried out under a license issued by the Gaming Commission (CJH).

This commission not only grants licenses; it regulates the entire market, monitors compliance with the rules, and sanctions violations. In 2026, the CJH deploys increased vigilance to combat fraud, money laundering, and illegal gambling, especially in a context where the digitization of supply has become the norm.

Licenses are categorized into different classes, according to the nature of the games offered:

• License A: granted to traditional land-based casinos, often associated with a complementary digital offer.
• License A+: dedicated to online casinos offering classic casino games and strictly complying with AML (anti-money laundering) and KYC (know your customer) obligations.
• License B+: linked to operators of online dice games.
• License F+: assigned to online sports betting operators.

However, these licenses do not cover accepting deposits in cryptocurrencies, nor their exclusive use. For an online casino to be legally recognized in Belgium, it must accept only traditional, traceable payment methods and include a rigorous identity verification process.

This regulatory rigidity means that platforms using exclusively cryptocurrencies, or offering specific bonuses based on crypto deposits, cannot obtain a Belgian license. Some offshore platforms still try to attract Belgian players, creating a legal grey area that involves non-negligible risks.

Why are cryptocurrencies so fascinating to Belgian players?

The appeal of cryptocurrencies in the online gambling sector is based on several perceived advantages that meet specific user expectations. This fascination fits into a global dynamic, where the speed and flexibility of crypto transactions seem to open new perspectives.

The speed and fluidity of blockchain transactions

In crypto casinos, payments via Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other tokens are often validated within minutes, which contrasts with the generally longer delays associated with traditional bank payments. This immediacy appeals to many Belgian players who seek instant access to their winnings or deposits without waiting several days for processing.

However, this transactional fluidity is not without downside. Speed does not guarantee the legality of an operation nor the user’s protection against scams.

The impression of anonymity and confidentiality

Cryptocurrencies offer apparent confidentiality by default, as addresses do not immediately reveal users’ identities. For a player, this may seem like a way to preserve privacy, avoiding classic banking surveillance and excessive controls.

But this very anonymity opens the door to insecure practices: absence of identity verification, difficulty tracing illicit funds, and obstacles to recourse in case of dispute. The lack of transparency can thus turn a perceived advantage into a major risk.

Absence of borders and international access freedom

Crypto casinos often operate from offshore jurisdictions, exploiting the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies to offer their services to a global clientele. This allows some players in Belgium to access a wider range of games and bonuses, sometimes far more generous than what the local scene offers.

This international dimension intrigues and attracts, but it is also a source of great uncertainty, particularly regarding national legislations that do not systematically recognize these platforms. The gap between perceived freedom and legal constraints generates a risk zone often unknown to users.

A list of advantages appreciated by players on crypto casinos

• Almost instantaneous blockchain transactions
• Enhanced sense of anonymity
• Access to attractive bonuses and thousands of games
• Possibility to play without traditional banking recourse
• International availability and fewer geographical restrictions

Despite these appeals, it is crucial to keep in mind that these advantages do not always translate into safety or legality for the Belgian player, especially within the framework of regulations as strict as those in force in the country.

The Gaming Commission: a bulwark against illegal crypto casinos

For several years, the Gaming Commission (CJH) has played a central role in monitoring the gambling sector in Belgium. This institution ensures that operators comply with strict standards imposed to protect consumers and guarantee the transparency of operations.

The CJH official position is clear: online casinos that do not apply deposit control procedures and player verification cannot be considered legal. In fact, most crypto casinos that accept only cryptocurrencies do not meet these conditions.

The CJH notably emphasizes:

• The necessity of a traceable payment system, excluding purely anonymous crypto wallets.
• The obligation of identity verification (KYC) before any transaction.
• Compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) rules, which are difficult to apply with cryptocurrencies alone.

This firmness is also manifested by concrete measures such as the technical blocking of illegal sites and the regular publication of a blacklist of prohibited platforms in Belgium. Any company offering gambling without a local license, especially those focused on crypto-assets, is targeted by these measures.

Unlicensed operators thus face heavy penalties, which can go up to fines of several tens of thousands of euros, or even imprisonment in case of repeat offenses. In this regard, the CJH directly protects Belgian players, discouraging transactions on unreliable casinos.

Consequences for players

Playing on an unlicensed crypto casino exposes the Belgian player to several risks, notably:

1. Permanent loss of funds: no guarantee of payout of winnings and no legal recourse.
2. Vulnerability to fraud: lack of control and possible scam.
3. Access interruption: sudden blocking of the site by internet service providers (ISPs).
4. Legal issues: in some cases, the user can be sanctioned for participation in illegal gambling.

Faced with these stakes, the CJH strongly recommends that players favor duly licensed platforms and verify their status before any registration.

Cryptocurrencies and money laundering: a challenge for Belgian regulation

One of the main challenges related to the popularization of cryptocurrencies in gambling lies in their potential use for money laundering. Belgium, like its European neighbors, strives to combat this scourge by integrating rigorous AML and KYC rules.

Cryptocurrencies are recognized as unregulated financial assets rather than official currency. Their use in untraceable transactions complicates authorities’ task of verifying the origin of players’ funds and detecting illicit flows.

The CJH stresses that the anonymity offered by the blockchain, although sometimes presented as an advantage, is actually incompatible with:

• The transparency and traceability required by gambling regulation.
• Effective combat against financing terrorism and other criminal activities.
• Identification and control obligations for players.

This regulatory difficulty pushes authorities to prohibit the use of cryptocurrencies as the main deposit method in licensed casinos. For example, the royal decree of October 25, 2018, explicitly bans cryptocurrencies as an official means of payment on official gambling platforms.

This ban aims not only to protect the sector’s integrity but also to maintain public trust. Without it, the rise of crypto casinos could lead to an explosion of illegal activities and seriously damage the image of legal gambling.

Comparative table of payment methods in licensed Belgian online casinos vs. crypto casinos

Payment methods	Licensed online casinos in Belgium	Unregulated crypto casinos
Acceptance	Classic methods (Bancontact, Visa, Mastercard, bank transfer, etc.)	Cryptocurrencies only (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) or as a supplement
Traceability	Complete via banking channels	Limited, anonymous addresses, money laundering risks
Identity verification	Mandatory and rigorous	Often absent or minimal
Player protection	Strong security requirements and regular checks	Lack of controls, high fraud risk
Transparency of operations	Regular audits, CJH supervision	Uncontrolled, often opaque activities

Impact of the European MiCA regulation on Belgian crypto casino legislation

Recently enacted, the MiCA regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets) aims to regulate the circulation of crypto-assets within the European Union with the priority of protecting consumers and preventing market abuse. This regulation creates a harmonized framework for crypto-monetary service providers but does not explicitly authorize the use of cryptos in gambling.

Contrary to what some might imagine, MiCA does not automatically legalize casinos operating solely on a blockchain or exclusively accepting cryptocurrencies as deposit methods. It requires authorized providers to maintain a high level of transparency, obligations in anti-money laundering, and strict transaction controls but leaves gambling regulation to Member States.

For Belgium, this means that at this stage, crypto casinos remain under the CJH’s jurisdiction and must comply with national rules. The discipline imposed by MiCA certainly brings better structuring of crypto-assets, but it does not fundamentally change the sector’s specific prohibitions.

In the long term, however, some experts envisaged a possible relaxation of legislation to integrate hybrid solutions, combining blockchain and regulatory requirements, to better reconcile innovation and security. This development is, however, not yet confirmed or implemented on a large scale.

Safe and legal alternatives for Belgian players wishing to use cryptocurrencies

Under current Belgian law, players interested in using cryptocurrencies in gambling have regulated and reliable solutions without succumbing to the allure of unregulated crypto casinos. Some licensed platforms offer gateways that allow converting crypto-assets into euros, thus complying with legality and preserving guarantees.

These alternatives offer the following advantages:

• Full compliance with CJH standards, ensuring player security and protection.
• Complete KYC process to guarantee anti-money laundering and transparency.
• Fast transactions facilitating deposits and withdrawals in local currency after cryptographic conversion.
• Access to a full game catalog with certified random number generators.
• Reliable customer support and official recourse in case of dispute.

For an optimal experience, players are therefore advised to check licenses, use only authorized payment methods, and favor online casinos with a solid reputation certified by the Gaming Commission.