Belgium sparked a global debate by raising the legal age of a player from 18 to 21. The main allegation is concern about addiction to gambling and sports betting. Thus, the measure differentiates Belgium from other EU countries, such as Sweden, Germany, Finland and Austria, where the legal age to gamble is 18 years old.
Sports betting for Belgium is the worst of vices
Miranda Raaff, head of iGaming insights at casino resources portal, Minimum Deposit Casinos (MDC), said there were striking disparities in legal age limits on activities such as driving licenses, smoking, drinking alcohol, sports betting and watching adult content.
“If Belgian lawmakers believe that 21 is the right age to gamble, then shouldn’t this age limit be instituted for all high-risk activities such as drinking, smoking, driving and watching pornography? It seems arbitrary to single out sports betting and leave other behaviors equally, if not more risky, less regulated. Maybe they should apply the same logic to all of these activities.”
“What is clear is that in most countries 18-year-olds are allowed to access pornography. So this is the perceived level of maturity despite the dangers online.” – said Raaff.
Alcohol poses enormous health risks. Driving a vehicle requires even more responsibility, with possible life-threatening consequences; Even so, it is permitted for 18-year-olds. In some countries, even younger people drive.
In other words, addiction is not limited to gambling either, as this can also happen with alcohol, smoking and pornography.
For Raaff, it makes no sense to trust young people to drive, smoke, consume alcohol and watch pornography at the age of 18 and to gamble and place sports bets at the age of 21.
Therefore, Belgium’s decision raises important questions about young adults’ perceptions of maturity. What is certain is that the debate on the topic has only just begun.
