No deposit bonus: why it is banned in Belgium
Since 1 September 2024, online casinos licensed in Belgium have been prohibited from offering a no deposit bonus. The offers you find online come from sites without a Belgian licence.
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When you open an account through one of our links, the casino may pay us a commission. It has no effect on ratings or on the order of our rankings, and we only feature casinos licensed by the Belgian Gaming Commission.
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Bonuses are banned in Belgium
Since 1 September 2024, article 60 of the Belgian Gambling Act of 7 May 1999 prohibits licensed online casinos from offering welcome bonuses, free spins, no deposit bonuses, cashback, game credits or VIP programmes. A site that promises you such an advantage is not a licensed operator: always check the licence list of the Belgian Gaming Commission.
On this page
Licensed casinos
The register of A+, B+ and F1+ online licences of the Belgian Gaming Commission: holders, licensed domains and expiry dates, synchronised daily.
- Licensed casinos
- 10
Illegal sites
The official blacklist of gambling sites blocked by the Belgian Gaming Commission, quoted as plain text with the date of each decision.
- Blocked sites
- 901
Bonuses in Belgium
Welcome bonus, free spins, cashback: why article 60 of the Gambling Act bans them for licensed casinos in Belgium, and how to spot an illegal site.
Best casinos
Our ranking of the online casinos licensed in Belgium, based on a public methodology: licence, games, payments, withdrawals and customer service.
- Licensed casinos
- 10
Payment methods
Bancontact, Payconiq, Paysafecard, e-wallets: payment methods accepted by casinos licensed in Belgium, with times and limits.
- Payment methods
- 20
Guides
A ban with no online exception
Article 60 of the Act of 7 May 1999 prohibits free participation in games, game credits and any advantage meant to attract players. A no deposit bonus, free spins on sign-up or starting credit are all banned under it.
Why such offers are a trap
A site that promises a no deposit bonus to a Belgian player is not a licensed operator, or is breaking the law. In a dispute, you have no Belgian protection, and gambling on an illegal site is an offence. Many of these sites are already on the Gaming Commission blacklist.
Getting to know a game without staking
The game sheets in this guide describe each slot (provider, RTP, volatility, stakes) without any deposit being needed. The rules of every game can also be read at the operator before any stake.
Before a first deposit
- check the domain on the Commission licence list;
- decide on an amount you accept to lose;
- set a deposit limit below the legal ceiling of 200 euros per week.
Further reading: what the law prohibits on bonuses and responsible gambling rules and help.
Official sources
Gaming Commission information on article 60 (official source, opens in a new tab)
Gaming Commission blacklist (official source, opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Is a no deposit bonus banned in Belgium?
Yes. It has been banned for all licensed operators since 1 September 2024, under article 60.
Why do banned no deposit offers still appear online?
They come from sites without a Belgian licence or from affiliate sites passing them on. The Commission blocks these sites and publishes the list.
Are free spins on sign-up banned too?
Yes. They are free participation in games, which article 60 prohibits.
What does a player risk on an illegal site?
The player has no Belgian protection and may be fined, because taking part in unlicensed gambling is an offence.
Can I learn about a slot without staking?
Our game sheets describe the technical features of each game without any deposit. The game rules can also be read at the operator.
About the author
Online casino writer
Léo Michel has been writing about technical and regulated topics for more than ten years: gambling, cryptocurrency, finance and new technology. He holds a master's degree in modern literature from the University of Namur and writes our reviews and guides from the official lists of the Belgian Gaming Commission, so every reader knows what to check before opening an account.
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Set a time and budget limit before you play, and never play to win back a loss. If gambling is no longer a pastime, free and anonymous help is available.