Shops that offer sports betting and other means of gambling will be required to register all customers and check whether they are of legal age or on a blacklist from 1 October 2022.

The new legislation is part of a package of gambling reforms introduced by Federal Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne after bpost sold its chain of newspaper shops – many of which also offer gambling and sports betting – to a gambling company.

“After the clearer rules for gambling in newsagents, we are taking another important step in protecting people against the devastating consequences of gambling addiction,” Van Quickenborne said in a statement.

“The list of excluded persons is a powerful weapon that we want to use more often. Therefore, we also call on all general practitioners, care workers or social workers to use it, in consultation with the person concerned, at the first signs of problematic gambling behaviour.”