Source: https://www.gamingcommission.be/opencms/opencms/jhksweb_en/law/law/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 02:27:20+00:00

Document:
Article 1. This Act governs a matter falling under article 78 of the Constitution, with the exception of the articles in Chapter II, that govern an issue as stipulated in article 77 of the Constitution (S).
4. gaming room: a place within a gaming establishment where the games of chance are operated.
10. information-society instruments: electronic equipment for the processing, including digital compression, and the storage of data, which are transmitted, conveyed and received by wire, by radio, by optical means or by other electromagnetic means.
3. card games or board or parlour games played outside class I and II gaming establishments and games operated in attraction parks or by industrial fairgrounds in connection with carnivals or trade or other fairs and on analogous occasions, including games that are organised occasionally and maximum 4 times a year by a local association for a special event or by an association with a social objective or for charity , or a non-profit organisation with a social objective or for charity, and that only requires a very limited stake and that can procure for the player or better only a low-value material advantage.
The King determines for the application of items 2 and 3, the specific conditions for the type of establishment, the type of game, the amount of the stake, the advantage that can be allotted and average loss per hour.
This Act does not apply to lotteries within the meaning of the Lotteries Act of 31 December 1851 or articles 301, 302, 303 and 304 of the Criminal Code, or to public lotteries and competitions falling under section 3(1), paragraph 1, of the Act of 19 April 2002 on rationalisation of the functioning and administration of the National Lottery.
§1. It is prohibited for anyone to operate in any form, in any place and in any direct or indirect manner whatsoever, a game of chance or gaming establishment, without a licence obtained in advance from the Gaming Commission as governed by the present Act and by the exceptions as governed by the Act.
§2. It is prohibited for anyone to participate in a game of chance, to facilitate the operation of a game of chance or gaming establishment, to advertise a game of chance or a gaming establishment, or recruit players for a game of chance or gaming establishment when the person involved knows that it concerns the operation of a game of chance or a gaming establishment which is not licensed in accordance with this Act.
§ 3. It is prohibited for anyone to participate in any game of chance whatsoever if the person involved may have a direct influence on the result.
Article 6. Gaming establishments are divided into four classes, being class I gaming establishments or casinos, class II gaming establishments or gaming arcades, class III gaming establishments or drinking establishments, and the class IV gaming establishments or places exclusively meant for taking bets, according to the type and number of games of chance that may be operated in the gaming establishment, the maximum stake, the loss or gain on the part of the players and betters indulging in such games of chance and the nature of the associated activities permitted in each of the respective types of establishment.
The number of class I, II and IV gaming establishments is limited. If a licence for the operation of a class I, II or IV gaming establishment becomes available, applications to obtain such a licence can be made. The King determines how such an available licence is announced and also the method and term for making an application, and also the criteria for determining the priority which at least must relate to the location of the establishment and modus operandi of the operation.
Article 7. For each of these classes of gaming establishment, the King, by decree debated in Cabinet, fixes the list and number of games of chance whose operation is permitted under the terms of this Act. The Gaming Commission renders a recommendation in this respect within a period of three months.
Article 8. For each game of chance operated in a class II, III and IV gaming establishment, with the exception of bets, and also for all games of chance operated via information-society instruments and for all games of chance operated via the media, the King shall determine for each play chance the maximum amount of the bet, the loss and the gain of the players. He may furthermore fix the maximum amount of the loss that a player may sustain for each such period as he may determine.
There may be played in class II establishments only those games of chance where it is established that the player cannot on average sustain a loss greater than 25 euros per hour.
There may be played in class III establishments only those games of chance where it is established that the player cannot on average sustain a loss greater than 12.50 euros per hour.
There may be played in class IV establishments, with the exception of the bets, only those games of chance where it is established that the player cannot on average sustain a loss greater than 12.50 euros per hour.
The King may also determine these matters for games of chance operated in class I gaming establishments.
It is at all times prohibited to interconnect two or more machines in order to offer a single prize.
The amounts of the games of chance provided in article (S) are indexed as determined by the King.
Article 9. There is instituted within the Federal Public Justice Department, under the name of the “gaming commission”, hereinafter referred to as the commission, an advisory, decision-making and regulatory body in respect of games of chance, whose headquarters is established within the administrative district of Brussels-Capital.
The commission is assisted by secretariat.
§1. The Commission consists of the following members (S): a chairman, 12 permanent members and 12 substitute members. The secretariat’s manager attends the commission and has an advisory vote.
- one Dutch-speaking representative and one French-speaking representative from the Ministry within whose remit the National Lottery falls.
The representatives and their substitutes are appointed by the King on a proposal by the Ministers concerned.
The mandate of the members ends at the time when their replacement is provided.
§ 3. The chairman is appointed by the King by decree debated in Cabinet on a proposal from the Minister of Justice from amongst the Dutch-speaking or French-speaking judicial officers that, in accordance with article 43quinquies of the Act of 15 June 1935 on the use of languages in judicial matters, have furnished evidence of their knowledge of the French and Dutch languages, respectively.
The chairman shall occupy said office on a full-time basis.
During the term of his office, he may not carry on any other work activity.
As a judicial officer, the chairman of the commission retains his position in the grade list. He is deemed to carry out his office during the period of his appointment. The provisions relating to retirement and pension are applicable to him. The officer is replaced by means of an appointment from amongst two or more candidates, in accordance with the Judicial Code. Where the officer is a department head, his replacement will be provided for by way of appointment from amongst two or more judicial officers of an immediately lower grade. The chairman is seconded automatically.
The chairman continues to benefit from his salary and the increases and benefits attached thereto. In addition, the chairman receives an annual salary allowance of 15,000 euros, not indexed, on top of a language bonus for which he may be eligible.
§ 4. The chairman and effective and substitute members are appointed for a term of six years, renewable once for a period of six years. No earlier than three years after the end of their appointment may the members and their substitutes again apply for the position they have already occupied. They may be appointed once again for a non-renewable term of six years.
§ 5. On top of travelling and accommodation expenses, the members of the commission and their substitutes, with the exception of the chairman, shall for each meeting receive an attendance allowance, the amount of which shall be fixed by the King.
§ 6. The commission performs its tasks with complete independence.
7. have occupied an academic, legal, public administration, economic or social office for at least ten years.
8. not be a member of the commission’s secretariat.
During the five years following the end of their term in office, the chairman, and the effective and substitute members of the commission may not occupy any position in a gaming establishment or have any direct or indirect interest for themselves, for a spouse or a partner living together legally, or a family member or a relative to the 4th degree of any kind whatsoever in the operation of any such establishment or in any other licensed activity falling under the present Act.
Article 12. The position of chairman is declared open when the holder is absent for more than six months, or when his mandate ends prematurely. In the event that the chairman should be absent for more than three months, the Minister of Justice may provide a temporary substitute. In the event that the chairman should be indisposed, he is replaced by an effective member designated by the commission from its midst.
Article 13. The members and substitutes of the commission may not be present at debates on questions that present a personal interest, directly or indirectly, for themselves, for a spouse or for a partner living together, for family members or relatives to the fourth degree.
Article 14. The King determines the organisation, composition and functioning of the secretariat.
Article 15. § 1. For the conduct of all its tasks, the commission may use the services of experts.
The powers of the officers of the criminal investigation police and auxiliary officers of the Crown Prosecutor, can only be exercised with the intention of finding and establishing offences against this Act and its implementing decrees.
5. require the assistance of the police.
§ 2. The police officer or the person specified in paragraph 1 who is in charge of the investigation and establishes a violation of the provisions of this Act or its implementation decrees, shall send the original of the report to the public prosecutor.
A copy of the report in question is to be forwarded to the commission and also to the person who violated this Act or its implementation decrees, with the explicit mention of the date when the original was sent to or handed over to the Crown Prosecutor.
The report prepared by the officials specified in paragraph 1 regarding the violations of this Act or its implementation decrees, is probative until evidence to the contrary is provided.
such period has it shall fix, providing always that such officials have first obtained permission from the Crown Prosecutor.
Article 15/1. §1. If the Crown Prosecutor, within the term of six months, from the day of receipt of the original of the report, fails to announce to the commission or notifies the latter that, without questioning the existence of the offence, the violation shall not be prosecuted, the commission may make use of article 15/3.
§2. If the Crown Prosecutor notifies the commission within the terms specified in paragraph 1 that not prosecution shall be made or that he is of the opinion that no adequate objections are available, the option of the commission to apply article 15/3 shall expire.
Article 15/2. The commission may by reasoned decision issue cautions to all natural or legal persons who violate this Act or its implementation decrees, and or for a certain period suspend or withdraw the licence and provisionally or definitively prohibit the operation of one or more games of chance.
Article 15/3. §1. Without prejudice to the measures specified in section 15/2, the commission is entitled to impose an administrative fine on perpetrators, in the event of violations to sections 4, 8, 26, 27, 46, 43/1, 43/2, 43/3, 43/4, 54, 58, 60, 62, and under the conditions provided in section 15/1, §1.
§ 2. The minimum amount and the maximum amount of the administrative fine is equal to the minimum amount and the maximum amount respectively of the criminal fine, provided by this Act, that sanctions the same offence, increased with the opdecimes.
The sum of the administrative fine is proportional to the seriousness of the offence that gives rise to the fine and possible repeat offences.
§3. The decision of the commission determines the amount of the administrative fine and is justified with reasons.
§4. The notification of the decision that determines the amount of the administrative fine shall end criminal proceedings.
§ 5. The decision to impose an administrative fine can no longer be made five years after the circumstances leading to the violation of this Act.
Article 15/4. The measures provided in articles 15/2 and 15/3 may be taken by the commission after the person involved has been given the possibility to present his defence.
1. the references of the report establishing the violation and the circumstances that gave rise to these violations.
- make a request to present his defence orally.
5. the postal address and e-mail address of the gaming commission for sending his defence.
If the person involved failed to collect the registered letter within the required term, the commission can send him a second invitation to present his defence.
This second invitation does not result in a new term of thirty days for presenting the defence.
Article 15. §1. The defence can be submitted in writing, including e-mail.
§2. It can also be submitted orally. If the person involved wishes to present his defence orally, he shall be heard after he has requested the commission to do so within the term as provided in article 15/4, second paragraph.
The commission may set up separate chambers for this purpose that consist of the chairman and two effective members.
The chamber of the commission set up for this purpose, shall invite to the hearing by registered letter the legal person or natural person involved.
The person involved can request a postponement of the hearing once by sending a registered letter to the chamber specified in the previous paragraph.
The chamber shall determine the new date when the case can be handled, without further postponement.
The members of the chamber who heard the person involved, shall prepare a comprehensive report of the hearing. A copy of this report is sent by registered letter to the person involved. After receipt of this copy, the person subject to the proceedings has fifteen days to send his comments in this respect to the commission.
Article 15/6. § 1. The commission confers and takes a decision within two months.
This period starts, either upon receipt of the written defence provided in accordance with article 15/5, §1, or after expiry of the period of 15 days as provided in the last paragraph of section 15/5, §2 in the event that the defence is submitted orally.
The members of the chamber who heard the person involved, may participate in these deliberations and have the right to vote.
§2. The decision is justified with reasons and sent by registered letter to the person involved.
Article 15/7. § 1. The involved party who disputes the decision that imposes an administrative fine, can address an appeal to the ‘court of first instance’ of his domicile or registered office, that has full jurisdiction (S), within one month from the notification of the commission’s decision, by means of a petition.
§2. The appeal suspends the effect the commission's decision.
§3. Only a provision in appeal can be brought against the decision of the court of first instance.
§4. Without prejudice to the provisions in the preceding paragraphs, the provisions of the Judicial Code apply for the appeal to the court of first instance.
Article 15/8. The King determines the collection and recovery of the imposed administrative fine.
The collected administrative fines are paid to the Treasury.
Article 16. The commission must annually report on its activities to the legislative chambers and to the Ministers for Economic Affairs, of the Interior, of Finance, of Justice and for Public Health.
Article 17. Without prejudice to article 15, § 2, the members of the commission and of the secretariat, as also such experts as have been asked to give their assistance, are obliged to keep secret the facts, acts and information that they have had knowledge of in the exercise of their duties both during their appointment and after the expiry thereof.
Any offence against this rule carries the penalties laid down in article 458 of the Criminal Code.
Article 19 § 1 The costs for the setting-up, staffing and functioning of the commission and its secretariat are to be borne entirely by the holders of class A, A+, B, B+, C, E, F1, F1+, G1 and G2 licences.
The annual contribution to the Fund to Counteract Excessive Debt as intended under article 20, § 2, of the Act dated 5 July 1998 relating to collective debt settlement and the option of sale by mutual agreement of the immovable goods that have been repossessed as well as the contribution increase intended under article 20bis, fourth member, of said Act, shall be at the charge of the gaming establishments (Program Act 23/12/2009).
The contribution of class F2 the licence holder is owed by the holder of the class F1 licence holder for whose account the bets are accepted.
For the holders of class C and F2 licences, the contribution must be paid before the licence is granted. The amount is equal to the amount of a contribution that covers the entire duration of the licence.
The King, by decree debated in cabinet, determines the contribution to the functioning, staffing and setting-up costs of the gaming commission due by the holders of class A, A+, B, B+ C, E, F1, F1+, G1 and G2 licences, as well as the annual contribution, and, if applicable, the increase of the contribution to the Fund to Counteract Excessive Debt owed by the gaming establishments (Program Act 23/12/2009).
The King shall table before the legislative chambers a bill for confirmation of the decree passed in execution of the foregoing paragraph.
§2. There is instituted a fund for the gaming commission within the budget for the Federal Public Justice Department. The fund is funded by the proceeds of the fees referred to in §1 as contribution to the costs for the setting-up, staffing and functioning of the Commission and its secretariat to be borne by the holders of class A, A+, B, B+, C, E, F1, F1+, G1 en G2 (S) licences.
Article 20. At the request of the ministers concerned or of Parliament, the commission shall render a recommendation on any legislative or regulatory initiative in the matters falling under this Act.
The commission supervises application of and compliance with this Act and its implementing decrees.
For application of the Money-Laundering Act of 11 January 1993, the gaming commission constitutes the regulatory and guardian authority within the meanings of articles 21 and 22 of said Act.
The commission receives complaints according to the procedures laid down by the King.
Article 21. § 1. The commission shall deliver its opinion with a reasoned decision about the applications for granting the licences provided in this Act.
§ 2. When taking its decision, the commission verifies whether all the conditions as provided by this Act and with respect to the applicant and the requested licence have been met.
§ 3. The commission may hear the applicant before making a decision about the application. If the applicant wishes to be heard, the commission shall organise a hearing.
The applicant has the right to seek assistance from legal council.
Article 22. Within a month of its being set up, the commission draws up its internal rules. These rules are submitted for approval by the Ministers for Economic Affairs, of the Interior, of Finance, of Justice and for Public Health.
The commission only validly deliberates if at least a majority of its members is present. It decides by absolute majority. In the event of a tied vote, the chairman, or in his absence his substitute, has a casting vote.
The substitute members only deliberate where they replace an effective member.
Article 23. The King determines the organisational and operating procedures for the commission.
Article 24. The commission meets at least once a year with the representatives of operators and with the representatives of employees of operators in a joint working committee, the composition and operating procedures for which are laid down by the King.
as it may lay down; This licence also permits the acceptance of bets outside a class IV gaming establishment for the cases specified in article s 43/4, § 5, 1. and 2. Renewable periods (S) of three years are also provided for these licences (S).
Article 26. Transferring granted licences is strictly prohibited for all parties.
Article 27. It is prohibited for any single natural person or legal entity to hold both any class A, A+, B, B+, C, D, F1, F1+, F2, G1 and G2 licence, on the one hand, and a class E licence, on the other hand, whether directly or indirectly, personally or through the intervention of another natural person or legal entity.
Holders of a class A, B, C , F1 or F2 licence may as such, free of charge or for valuable consideration, transfer games of chance that are intended for use and used for the purpose of operating a class I, II, III and IV gaming establishment and that have been fully depreciated, provided the Commission is informed thereof beforehand and gives its prior authorisation.
Article 28. Class I gaming establishments are establishments where games of chance are operated, automatic or not, as authorised by the King, and where at the same time socio-cultural activities are organised, such as shows, exhibitions, congresses and hotel and catering activities.
Article 29. The total number of authorised class I gaming establishments is limited to 9.
Brussels-Capital Region. With the recommendation of the government of the Brussels-Capital Region and on the basis of the opportunities for locating such an establishment and infrastructure and on the basis of the social impact of setting up a class I gaming establishment, the King, by decree debated in Cabinet, designates the borough out of the boroughs in the Brussels-Capital Region that have applied by registered letter sent to the Minister of Justice within three months of this Act coming into force.
Only one class I gaming establishment may be operated in each borough. To this end, each borough enters into a concession agreement with the applicant operator.
The King may by decree debated in Cabinet set down the conditions that the concession agreement must fulfil.
4. furnish evidence of his or its solvency and his or its financial means and, at all times and scrupulously, provide the Commission with all information enabling it to verify transparency in the operation and identify the shareholders together with any later alterations thereto.
6. present a recommendation from the Federal Public Department of Finance that proves that he has fulfilled all his recognised and undisputed tax debts.
3. communicate to the commission the information enabling it at any time to verify transparency of the operation and identify the shareholders together with later alterations thereto.
4. completely and rigorously separate the gaming room from those spaces used for other purposes inside the casino and from the spaces external to the casino that are accessible to the public, so that it is in no event possible from outside the gaming room to gain a view of the games of chance. The operator is nonetheless permitted to operate a bar or restaurant in the gaming room or to entrust the operation thereof to a third party holding a class D licence.
5. Actually operate the games of chance or gaming establishments for which a licence has in effect been granted.
5. the procedures for the monitoring and supervision of games of chance, particularly by means of an appropriate computer system.
Article 34. Class II gaming establishments are establishments where only games of chance authorised by the King are operated.
The total number of authorised class II gaming establishments is limited to 180.
The operation of a class II gaming establishment must be done pursuant to an agreement to be entered into between the borough in which the establishment is located and the operator. The decision to enter into such an agreement is within the discretionary powers of the borough council. The agreement sets down where the gaming establishment is established together with the procedures, days and times of opening and closure of class II gaming establishments and who exercises supervision by the borough council.
3. furnish evidence of his or its solvency and his or its financial means and, at all times and scrupulously, provide the commission with all information enabling it to verify transparency in the operation and identify the shareholders together with any later alterations thereto.
6. be entered in the Central Database for Businesses as a commercial undertaking.
7. present a recommendation from the Federal Public Department of Finance that proves that he has fulfilled all his recognised and undisputed tax debts.
spaces external to the class II gaming establishment that are accessible to the public, so that it is in no event possible from outside the gaming room to gain a view of the games of chance. The operator is not permitted to operate a bar or restaurant in the gaming room or to entrust the operation thereof to a third party.
5. actually operate the games of chance or gaming establishments for which a licence has in effect been granted in the sense of article 2, 2. of this Act.
Article 39. Class III gaming establishments are establishments in which are sold drinks that, whatever their nature, must be consumed on the premises and in which a maximum of two games of chance are operated.
Article 41. In order to be issued with a class C licence, the applicant must be in full possession of his civil and political rights and be of such conduct as meets the requirements for the position if he is a natural person. If the applicant is a legal entity, each director must be in full possession of his civil and political rights and be of such conduct as meets the requirements for the position. The applicant must present a recommendation from the Federal Public Department of Finance that proves that he has fulfilled all his recognised and undisputed tax debts.
Article 42. The applicants for a class C licence must be entered in the Central Database for Businesses as a commercial undertaking.
Sub-section I: Betting: betting establishments.
Article 43/1. It is prohibited to organise betting with regard to an event or activity that is contrary to public policy or the accepted principles of morality.
It is prohibited to organise betting on events or activities of which the results are already known or when the uncertain event has already occurred.
4°. bets on horseraces (S) that take place abroad, either according to the results of the various bets amongst players, or according to the conventional odds that the parties refer to; The taking of these bets is reserved for operators of the fixed gaming establishments as provided in article 43/4, § 2, second paragraph.
1. the bets as stipulated in article 43/2, §1, 1., are only organised with the permission of the horserace association that organises the horserace in question. This association may be established as a non-profit organisation.
2. the bets as stipulated in article 43/2, §1, 2., are only organised, under certain terms as determined by the King, by the organiser of the bets provided in item 1 (S).
3. the bets as stipulated in article 43/2, §1, 3., are only organised with the permission of the horserace association that organises the horserace in question and within the premises of a race course. This association may be established as a non-profit organisation.
Article 43/3. §1. The organisers of the betting must have a class F1 licence.
§ 2. The King determines the maximum number of betting organisers by decree debated in Cabinet.
The King determines this number, for the period he specifies, on the basis of criteria meant to limit the supply and protect the player, and to guarantee effective supervision. The King may determine the procedure for dealing with excess licence applications.
Sub-section II: Class IV Gaming Establishments.
Article 43/4. §1. Class IV gaming establishments are areas which are exclusively meant for taking bets that are authorised in accordance with this Act for the account of the F1 licence holders.
Taking bets requires a class F2 licence.
With the exception of the provisions of §5, it is forbidden to take bets outside a class IV gaming establishment.
§ 2. Class IV gaming establishments are fixed or mobile.
A fixed gaming establishment is a permanent establishment, with a clearly defined space where the betting is operated.
- the operation of maximum two automatic games of chance that provide bets on similar activities as those organised in the betting office. The King determines the terms for operating these games of chance.
A mobile gaming establishment is a temporary establishment, in a clearly defined space, operated on the occasion, for the duration and at the location of an event, a sports event or a sports competition. It must be clearly separated from the areas where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on-site.
A mobile game of chance establishment is not allowed to take other bets than those that relate to the event, the game or the competition in question.
§ 3. All bets authorised in accordance with this Act and for which a stake is made that exceeds the amount or equivalent value determined by the King, must be registered by the person taking the bets in a computerised system that stores the data for five years.
The King determines which data must be registered and how the registration must occur.
§ 4. The King determines the maximum number of class IV fixed and mobile gaming establishments, and also the criteria for organising the spread of these establishments, by decree debated in Cabinet. He may determine a procedure with the criteria for dealing with excess licence applications.
2. if he is a natural person, provide proof that he has full capacity of his civil and political rights; if it is a legal entity, provide proof that the directors all have this capacity; In all cases, the applicant and all directors must be of such conduct as meets the requirements for the position.
4. present a recommendation from the Federal Public Department of Finance that proves that he has fulfilled all his recognised and undisputed tax debts.
3. communicate to the commission the information enabling it verify the transparency of the operation and identify the shareholders together with later alterations thereto.
4. actually continue to operate the betting activity or take bets, and operate the gaming establishments for which the licence has in effect been granted.
3. the obligations that class F1 and F2 licence holders must meet with regard to management and accounting.
5. the rules for the monitoring and supervision of games of chance, particularly by means of an appropriate computer system.
§1. The commission may grant to a class A, B or F1 licence holder maximum one supplementary licence, respectively A+, B+ and F1+, for the operation of games of chance via information-society instruments. The supplementary licence shall only be granted for the operation of games of the same nature as those offered in the real world.
3. the specific rules for supervision (S) and verification of the operated games of chance that must at least relate to the condition that the servers used to manage the data and the website are located at a permanent location on Belgian territory.
4. which games may be operated.
5. the specific rules regarding the information for players on the legality of the games of chance via information-society instruments.
6. the specific rules for limitations of stakes and playing time (S) per period as determined by the King.
§ 3. The duration of validity of the supplementary licences is linked to the respective duration of validity of the respective class A, B or F1 licences.
§4. The commission keeps a list of the granted supplementary (S) licences that can be consulted by any person requesting to do so.
- game duration: period between the placing of the bet and the final closing of the game with gain or loss.
- facilitator: any person who makes his infrastructure available and/or provides assistance for the management and the processing of the communication originated by the player.
Section II. - Television programmes via number sequences of the Belgian number scheme and that are part of a total programme.
Article 43/12. The game provider must have a class G1 licence in order to operate television programmes via number sequences of the Belgian number scheme and whereby he is authorised to charge the caller not only for the price of the communication but also for the content, however, only for the sequences where the end-user tariff is not dependent on the duration of the calls, and which are part of a total programme (S).
the criteria for preventing the expansion of the supply.
Section III. - Games of choice operated via the media, other than television programmes via number sequences of the Belgian number scheme as provided for in section II.
Article 43/14. The game provider must have a class G2 licence to operate all games of chance via the media, with the exception of games of chance via number sequences of the Belgian number scheme and that are part of a total programme.
Article 44. Any person wishing to carry on any occupational activity in relation to gaming in a class I, II or IV gaming establishment during the opening hours of the gaming room must be in possession of a class D licence and at all times hold an identification card certifying that he is in possession of such licence.
Article 45. In order to be issued with a class D licence and remain the holder thereof, the applicant must be in full possession of his civil and political rights and be of such conduct as meets the requirements for the position.
Article 46. Holders of a class D licence are prohibited from taking part personally or through intermediaries in the games of chance operated, accepting financial or material compensation other than what may be provided for in their employment contract or allowing players or betters any form of loan or credit.
3. the qualifications and certificates required to obtain a class D licence.
Article 48. The sale, hire, sale on hire-purchase, supply, granting disposition of, importation, exportation, production and provision of maintenance, repair and equipment services in relation to games of chance are subject to the grant of a class E licence. Operators who fulfilled the notification as provided by article 9 of the Act of 13 June 2005 governing electronic communication, are exempt from this obligation.
4. present a recommendation from the Federal Public Department of Finance (FOD) that proves that he has fulfilled all his recognised and undisputed tax debts.
1. if he is a natural person who participates in any way whatsoever directly or indirectly, personally or through the intervention of a legal entity, in the activity for which a class E licence is required, be able at all times and unambiguously to be identified and his identity must be known to the commission. His identity must be communicated to the commission?
2. communicate to the commission the information enabling it at any time to verify transparency of the operation and identify the shareholders together with later alterations thereto.
Article 52. Any model of equipment or apparatus that is imported or manufactured within the limits and conditions set down in a class E licence, with the intention use by a licence holder as provided in this Act, must for the purposes of selling or operating same in Belgium, be approved by the commission on the basis of the inspections carried out by one of the authorities mentioned in the second paragraph of this section. A certificate of approval is issued as evidence.
The controls carried out at commissioning and in the course of use are also carried out by the authorities referred to in the second paragraph.
6. the amount and manner of collecting the charges in relation to model approval verifications and subsequent controls.
Article 54. §1. Access to the gaming rooms of class I and II gaming establishments is prohibited for persons under 21 years of age with the exception of adult personnel of gaming establishments in their place of work. Access to class IV gaming establishments is prohibited for minors.
The playing of games of chance in class III gaming establishments and the playing of games of chance and betting in class IV gaming establishments are prohibited for minors.
This prohibition for minors also applies for betting authorised outside the class IV gaming establishments.
Playing games of chance via information-society instruments, with the exception of betting, is prohibited for persons under 21 years of age. Betting via information-society instruments is prohibited for minors.
§2. Access to the gaming rooms of class I and II gaming establishments is prohibited for judicial officers, notaries public, bailiffs, and members of the police service outside the exercise of their duties.
The playing of games of chance in the sense of this Act and for which registration is required, with the exception of betting, is prohibited for judicial officers, notaries public, bailiffs, and members of the police service outside the exercise of their duties.
6. persons for whom the request for collective debt arrangement (consumer debt relief) has been declared permissible.
3. persons to be protected for whom a request has been lodged in accordance with section 5 of the Mentally Ill (Protection of the Person) Act of 26 June 1990.
The preventive prohibitions set out in the first paragraph terminate where the Commission has been advised of the decisions referred to in each of sections 487sexies and 488bis(e) § 1 of the Civil Code and sections 8, 12 and 30 of the Mentally Ill (Protection of the Person) Act of 26 June 1990.
The information to be sent to the commission by the judicial authorities, may be sent electronically.
§ 5. The King determines the method of prohibiting or denying access to games of chance in the sense of this Act.
Article 55. The Federal Public Department of Justice (S) is setting up a system for processing information concerning the persons falling under section 54.
2. to enable operators and the personnel of gaming establishments to verify compliance with the exclusions referred to in section 54.
6. where appropriate, the decisions to exclude in the sense of article 54, §3 and §4 (S), the subject from the gaming rooms of gaming establishments pronounced by the Gaming Commission and the date of and grounds for that decision.
Permanent on-line access to all the categories of information referred to in paragraph 3 is accorded to the gaming commission in return for payment of a fee.
The King, by decree debated in Cabinet and on the recommendation of the Privacy Commission, determines the amount of the fee referred to in paragraph 4, the procedures for administering the information processing system, the procedures for processing information and the procedures for accessing the system.
“Decisions placing a person under the extended minority regime, ordering that parental authority be replaced by guardianship or designating a new guardian are notified by the clerk of court to the Minister of Justice and the mayor of the borough in the population register of which the person in question is entered.” ».
confidant of the patient.” ».
“He sends an unsigned copy of the judgement to the advisers, the Crown Prosecutor and, as appropriate, the legal representative, psychiatrist and confidant of the patient.” ».
Article 58. Apart from the use of credit cards and debit cards in class I gaming establishments, it is prohibited for any person to allow players or gamblers any form of loan or credit or to enter with them into any material or financial transaction for the purpose of paying for a stake or a loss.
Any transaction of which the sum amounts to 10,000 euros or more must be paid by means of a credit card or debit card. The payment with credit cards is forbidden in the class II, III and IV gaming establishments and for the games of chance that are operated via information-society instruments.
Operators of gaming establishments must inform their clients in a legible and conspicuous manner in all rooms accessible to the public of the prohibition against granting a loan as provided for in the first paragraph.
The presence of cash-dispensing machines is forbidden in class I, II, III and IV gaming establishments. The presence of money-changing machines is allowed in class I, II, III and IV gaming establishments.
Article 59. The real games of chance may only be played with coupons or tokens paid for in cash, belonging to the gaming establishment in question and supplied exclusively by it within its interior, or with coins. This provision does not apply for betting.
Article 60. It is prohibited to offer clients of class II, III and IV gaming establishments travel, meals, drinks or gifts free of charge or at prices less than the market price of comparable goods and services.
It is permitted to offer clients of class I gaming establishments travel, meals, drinks or gifts free of charge or at prices less than the market price of comparable goods and services up to a maximum amount of 400 euros per two months per player.
The King may lay down additional conditions and adjust the amount referred to in the previous paragraph.
Article 61. The King takes measures in relation to the drawing-up of an ethical code for informing the public about the dangers inherent to games of chance.
The commission has made available leaflets containing information on gambling addiction, the telephone number of the 0800 helpline and the addresses of social services for the class I, II, III and IV gaming establishments. These leaflets must always be made available to the public in a visible place by the establishment in question. If the licence holder uses information-society instruments, the folder must also be available in an electronic format.
Article 62. By way of addition to that which is provided for in section 54, access to the gaming rooms of class I and II gaming establishments is only permitted on presentation by the person concerned of an identity document and provided his full name, first names, date of birth, place of birth, occupation and address are entered by the operator in a register.
The operator has the register signed by the person concerned.
A copy of the document by which the player has been identified must be kept for at least five years as from the date of his last gaming activity.
The King determines the practical procedures for the admission and registration of players.
He lays down the conditions for access to the registers.
Failure to keep or incorrectly keeping said register or failure to communicate same to the authorities or the alteration or disappearance thereof may entail withdrawal of a class I or II licence by the commission.
The King determines the procedure for admission and registration for playing games of chance via an electronic communication network, and also the requirements to be met for the register.
Article 63. Persons guilty of a breach of the provisions of articles 4, § 1, 4 § 3, 8, 26, 27, first paragraph, 46 and 58 are liable to imprisonment for a period of six months to five years and a fine of 100 francs to 100,000 francs, or one of these sanctions.
Article 64. Persons guilty of a breach of the provisions of articles 4, § 2, 43/1, 43/2, 43/3, 43/4, 54, 60 and 62 are liable to imprisonment for a period of one month to three years and a fine of 26 francs to 25,000 francs, or one of these sanctions.
2. where the offence has been committed against a person aged under 18 years.
Article 66. A prohibition against exercising certain rights may also be pronounced in accordance with article 33 of the Criminal Code.
Article 67. In the case of all offences, the following shall be confiscated: the money and equivalent paper put up for gaming purposes together with the furnishings, instruments, tools and apparatus deployed or intended to be used for the purposes of gaming.
Article 68. The court may order the definitive or temporary closure of the gaming establishment.
In the event the court exercises the option provided under paragraph 1, the commission shall withdraw the licence in question.
Article 69. The provisions of Book I of the Criminal Code, including Chapter VII and article 85, are applicable to the offences provided for under this Act.
Article 70. Natural persons and the directors, managers, decision-making bodies, employees and agents of legal entities are liable in civil law for orders to pay any damages, fines, costs, confiscations and administrative fines whatsoever issued for breach of the provisions of this Act.
The same applies for the members of any companies or partnerships deprived of civil personality where the offence has been committed by a member, manager, employee or agent in the framework of the company’s or partnership’s business. Such persons are jointly and severally liable for the orders referred to in paragraph 1.
The individuals and legal entities referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article may be cited directly before the criminal court by the public prosecutor or a civil party.
Article 71. With the exception of class C,(S) D and F2 licences, the licences referred to in article 25 are only finally issued after payment of a surety in cash or securities. This surety is intended to cover default in payment of the costs and expenses referred to in articles 19 and 72. This surety must be paid to the national depositary institution no later than five days before the commencement of gaming operations.
In the event of default in the payment of the costs, the commission has the right to deduct the sums from the surety.
Where, during the course of business, the surety proves insufficient in the case of a default in the payment of costs, the commission demands payment of an additional amount within five days. Failing payment within that period, the licence is suspended until such time as the payment is made.
The King is authorised to amend the amounts of these sureties by decree debated in Cabinet.
The King shall table a bill before the legislative chambers for confirmation of the decree passed in execution of the previous paragraph.
[NOTE: By judgment no. 100/2001 of 13-07-2001 (B.O.G. 07-08-2001, p. 26855) the Court of Arbitration has set aside the words “the sum of 500,000 franc for every 50 appliances or part thereof for all other holders of a class E licence” insofar that the wording refers to the producers and manufacturers of games of chance for export.
Article 72. The Gaming Act of 24 October 1902, amended by the Acts of 19 April 1963 and 22 November 1974, and the Interpretative Act of 14 August 1978 are repealed.
Article 73. Article 305 of the Criminal Code is repealed.
Article 76. Concession agreements that, at the time this Act comes into force, have been entered into between class I gaming establishments and the boroughs mentioned in section 29 of this Act remain valid for a maximum period of 20 years provided that said gaming establishments comply with the provisions of this Act within one year of its coming into force.
Article 76/1. The existing organisers of bets that can present a certificate from the Federal Public Department of Finance stating that they have fulfilled their fiscal obligations, may continue their activities until the time when the commission has made a decision with regard to granting a class F1 licence, on the condition that a surety is paid and a full and correct file is presented within two (S) months starting when this provision comes into effect.
The fixed and mobile class IV establishments and the special intermediaries stipulated in article 43/4, § 5, who are correctly registered with the Federal Public Department of Finance and who offer bets for which the organiser has fulfilled his fiscal obligations, may continue their activities until the time when the commission has made a decision with regard to granting a class F2 licence, on the condition that a surety is paid by the organiser whose bets they offer and a full and correct file is presented within two months starting when this provision comes into force.
If the conditions provided in this article are not met, the commission may give the applicant the opportunity to correct his file within a term defined at its discretion.
Article 77. The King exercises the powers conferred upon him by the Act upon joint presentation by the Ministers for Economic Affairs, of the Interior, of Finance, for Public Health and of Justice.
Article 78. Articles 9 and 23 come into force on the date that notice thereof is published in the Belgian Official Gazette.
The other articles come into force on such date as is decided by the King.

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