On 15 December 2025, a new cooperation agreement aimed at curbing illegal gambling entered into force. DNS Belgium and the Belgian Gaming Commission signed a charter to enable faster and more efficient action against .be websites offering illegal gambling games.
In 2018, DNS Belgium and the FPS Economy launched a Notice & Action procedure. This cooperation was a major step in protecting internet users and enforcing legislation. The model used in this cooperation now serves as the basis for additional agreements, such as the current one with the Belgian Gaming Commission.
“We’re very much looking forward to working with the Belgian Gaming Commission to tackle problematic websites in the .be zone quickly and efficiently. This year, we've seen an increase in complaints relating to suspected illegal gambling sites. This cooperation provides an appropriate response to that trend.”
What does the new cooperation agreement imply?
When a website under a .be domain name violates the Belgian Gambling Act, the Gaming Commission can report this to DNS Belgium as of now. This includes, for example, websites offering gambling games without the required licence.
Once DNS Belgium has received an official notification, we take the following steps:
- The domain name’s name servers are deactivated within one working day.
- Visitors to the website are redirected to a stop page displaying a clear warning.
- The domain name holder is given the opportunity to comply with the rules but if they fail to do so, the domain name is revoked.
This approach ensures that illegal websites become inaccessible quickly, while still giving the owner the opportunity to rectify the situation.
Why is this important?
Illegal gambling carries significant risks. Unlike in the regulated market, consumers are not protected against fraud, and such platforms do not comply with Belgian legislation. By working with the Belgian Gaming Commission, DNS Belgium contributes to a safer online environment and a fair digital economy.
Step by step, we’re strengthening the protection of internet users.
With this article, we support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.