Key points:
- 84% of young adults gamble on legal sites; 28% also use illegal ones
- Nearly half (48%) have gambled online; only 37% have used land-based venues
- Top 10 best-known gambling sites include three illegal operators
The Gaming Commission in Belgium has published new findings from a 2025 survey conducted by DataSynergy, revealing that 84% of young adults aged 18 to 30 gamble through legal websites, while over a quarter (28%) also access illegal sites.
The research, based on responses from 1,000 participants, shows that legal gambling operators are more widely recognised than illegal ones, though three of the ten most recognised brands are unlicensed.
Legal sites are also more frequently identified by name, with 94% of respondents naming at least one regulated platform compared to 61% who could name an illegal one.
Good to know: The study found that online gambling continues to dominate over land-based participation
Nearly half (48%) reported gambling via websites, compared to 37% who had visited a physical venue. Despite restrictions, 53% of those surveyed said they had gambled at least once since September 2024.
Occasional play remains the most common pattern: 30% of respondents reported playing infrequently, though 23% gambled once or several times a week. A smaller portion (10%) said they played nearly every day.
Website choice is primarily driven by social influence. Thirty-two percent of participants chose gambling platforms based on recommendations from friends, making this the most decisive factor.
Advertising via social media and sports sponsorships were less influential, cited by 15% and 12% of respondents, respectively.
The findings come as regulators across multiple jurisdictions increase efforts to monitor and restrict youth exposure to gambling content. The NFL, for example, recently pledged $600,000 to the International Center for Responsible Gaming to support research into college gambling behaviours and provide updated educational materials for parents and educators.
The Gaming Commission introduced the survey to better understand young people’s gambling habits following a similar study in 2023. The data will inform future regulatory and awareness efforts aimed at reducing access to illegal platforms and encouraging safer gambling practices.
