Latest version of the Belgian Gaming Law

**Note that we're not lawyers, or had any legal degree, and just try to give you our view on matters. Please make your own conclusions and judgements**

Here you can download the latest version (dutch & french) of the new belgian gaming law proposal, as amended and approved by the senate commission for justice, and now sent back the the chamber of representants for approval.

At this point, it's safe to say that there won't be any more amendements, and that it's just a matter of when this change to the law will be passed. To know exactly what changed, you will have to read the old text as well.

Here's a summary:

* the first 7 pages is basically about how the gaming commission is composed, what it can and can't do.
* Page 8 mentions that it will be the commission, who will be able to fine people. This will end the current practice that the commission only establishes a "PV", and depends on other bodies to prosecute and fine the criminals.
* After 5 years, the crime expires and they can't fine you anymore.
* Page 11 indicates that you can take the case to court, if you refuse to pay the fine.
* The existing classification of class A, B, C and E are replaced by A, A+, B, B+, C, E, F1, F1+, G1 and G2.

It doesn't make any sense that the text doesn't contain anything about the permits, internet gambling, ... compared to the original new proposal. It seems that only the stuff from pages 148-150 really made it through.

After some more research, it became evident that the original new proposal proposed to amend everything to law 77. On June 18th, it was decided to split it into two proposals, one for 77 (that contains all the stuff from above, with the changes on how the commission operates), and one for law 78, the law that also contains stuff about the national lottery.

Here is the link to this proposal page, to change law 78 in the constitution. The actual documents are on the website of the senate, but the final text is not available yet. Here is the temporary version.

In this temporary version you'll read that it will be forbidden to participate in games that aren't licensed by the commission, that credit card payments will not be allowed, and that social//non-profit events (like poker tournaments) will be allowed up to 4x per year, per organization.