The 2022 report from Belgium’s Gaming Commission reveals a narrative of resurgence and transformation within the gaming sector following the pandemic. Overall gaming proceeds surged to more than €14.5 billion, marking a 23.9% increase from the preceding year. This expansion was driven by a revival in physical gambling, which witnessed a 65.7% rise as casinos, gaming establishments, and cafes rebounded from closures.

Although internet-based gambling maintains the largest market portion at 54.9%, its expansion was a more moderate 2.6%. Notably, within land-based gaming, it was bingo establishments and low-wager cafe diversions that took the forefront, yielding a third of all income. This underscores a potential change in player inclination towards more relaxed gaming encounters. Concurrently, web-based casinos continue to dominate the digital realm, representing almost half of all internet gambling earnings.

The report implies that while the Belgian gaming sector has not merely recuperated but exceeded pre-pandemic figures, the terrain is evolving. Online supremacy is being contested by the appeal of in-person amusement, and low-stakes alternatives are gaining momentum.

The 2022 analysis emphasizes a significant resurgence for physical casinos, as visitor numbers propelled their gross gaming revenue (GGR) to twice its 2021 amount. Remarkably, they achieved an unprecedented milestone, with nine establishments generating over half a billion euros.

Each casino witnessed its earnings exceed pre-crisis levels, even surpassing the figures from 2019. The Brussels venue emerged dominant, securing a substantial 40% of the revenue share.

Internet gambling also experienced expansion, with the nine authorized platforms recording a 16% GGR increase. The Spa casino’s online presence spearheaded earnings. However, the overall landscape was made complex by the shutdown of several unauthorized sites in Middelkerke, influencing the total revenue from that region.

A Belgian Gaming Commission analysis in September 2023 unveiled some troubling patterns: an alarming 13% of players confessed to daily participation, and a disconcerting proportion of participants – a mere 36% – could distinguish between legitimate and illicit gambling websites.