Belgium’s Council of Ministers has approved at second reading a draft royal decree implementing further legal changes following the transfer of the Gambling Commission to the Federal Public Service (FPS) Economy.
The draft, proposed by Minister of Economy David Clarinval and Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden, amends several royal decrees adopted under Belgium’s Gambling Law of 7 May 1999. It also repeals decrees that no longer have a legal basis.
The text has been adjusted following opinions from the Council of State and will now be submitted to the King for signature. The Council of Ministers initially approved the implementing decree in April, before referring it to the Council of State for review.
The regulatory changes follow legislation transferring gambling responsibilities from the Justice portfolio to the Economy portfolio. That law was published in May and took effect on 1 June, formally replacing references to FPS Justice with FPS Economy in the Gambling Law and transferring responsibility for the sector.
The Government began the process in 2025, arguing that gambling had developed beyond an issue primarily concerning public order into an economic sector requiring oversight of competition alongside player protection. The initial legislative proposal therefore sought to place both the Gambling Commission and gambling policy under the Economy portfolio.
Administrative changes linked to the transfer have continued since June. Earlier this month, the Council of Ministers resubmitted legislation confirming operators’ 2026 contributions towards the Gambling Commission’s staffing, operating and installation costs because responsibility had moved from the Justice Minister to the Economy Minister.
The restructuring coincides with other changes to Belgium’s gambling framework. Earlier this month, Belgium reinstated rules governing betting-enabled newsagents after a Council of State ruling had created a licensing gap for Class F2 operators.
The transfer legislation entered into force on 1 June 2026, moving responsibility for the Gambling Commission and gambling policy to FPS Economy
