Belgium F2 Betting Licences Frozen After Council of State Annuls Royal Decree

The Belgian Gaming Commission (GC) has suspended all processing of F2 licence applications and renewals for newspaper vendors following a Council of State ruling that annulled the governing royal decree.

Court Ruling Creates Regulatory VacuumOn 22 January 2026, Belgium's Council of State struck down the royal decree of 17 February 2022 that established the framework for newspaper vendors to offer sports betting and horse racing wagering as a secondary activity.

Under Belgium's Gambling Act, newspaper vendors holding F2 licences are permitted to accept bets on sporting events and horse racing, provided that:

Betting remains a strictly defined secondary activityThe vendor is registered in the Crossroads Bank for EnterprisesNo alcoholic beverages are sold for on-premises consumption at the locationLicensing Standstill Until New Framework EmergesThe annulment creates a significant regulatory gap, as the Gambling Act delegates authority to the King to define the specific conditions newspaper vendors must meet. Without a valid royal decree in place, the Gaming Commission lacks the legal basis to approve new licences or process renewals.

The GC has formally requested that ministers address the situation urgently. Existing F2 licence holders face uncertainty as the regulatory framework governing their operations has been invalidated.

Operators and prospective licensees should monitor developments closely, as resolution will require either a new royal decree or legislative amendment to the Gambling Act.