Online Gambling Encouraged for Belgian Lotteries by EU Recommendation
The European Lotteries (EL) recently gathered at the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels for the annual Lotteries in Europe Colloquium, an event organised by The National Lottery and EL. The conference, held under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, aimed to discuss the role of lotteries in preserving cultural heritage and supporting society.
The event kicked off with Malcolm Fleming, president of the Association of Charity Lotteries in Europe, speaking about the birth of lotteries and their current impact on the social landscape in Europe. EU's Court of Justice president Koen Lenaert was a keynote speaker, offering insight into the recognition of religious, moral, and cultural nuances shaping lotteries.
EL members, including Veikkaus, presented case studies demonstrating the direct impact of lotteries on society. They highlighted the massive support provided by lotteries to communities via generous funding throughout their history. For instance, the UK’s National Lottery Heritage Fund, supported by lottery players, provides substantial grants to preserve and promote heritage sites such as Roman military sites and local LGBTQ+ histories. It distributes over £600 million yearly to community projects, helping sustain museums, heritage conservation efforts, and inclusive societal projects.
One of the key points of discussion focused on making sure that lotteries are accurately adapted to match today's digital landscape. European Lotteries are increasingly integrating digital tools to enhance access, fundraising, and community engagement. This allows improved transparency, efficiency, and outreach in supporting cultural and social projects.
Another important point of discussion focused on stricter regulations aimed at deterring online gambling addiction. Belgium announced stricter gambling rules in March 2023, to be enforced in September. The stricter regulations will include a ban on gambling incentives such as bonuses and complimentary bets. Some operators have expressed concerns about the potential negative adverse effects of the stricter regulations, which could lead to the alienation of players.
The conference also highlighted the promotion of inclusion and community identity through lottery-funded grants. These extend beyond preserving physical artifacts to promoting diverse cultural memories and histories, such as neurodiversity education and safe spaces for marginalized communities.
The Chamber of Representatives approved measures proposed by Green MP Stefaan Van Hecke to implement these stricter rules. European Lotteries' president, Romana Girandon, reiterated that their purpose is ultimately to "make the lives of EU citizens better".
The public social event included a walking dinner and was free to join via an online registration form. The conference concluded with a consensus on the crucial role of European Lotteries as financial and societal enablers for cultural heritage preservation and social inclusion, while they are progressively embracing digital methods to maintain relevance and effectiveness in the 21st century.
[1] European Lotteries (2023). Annual Report 2022. Retrieved from https://www.european-lotteries.org/media/7607/annual-report-2022.pdf [2] National Lottery Heritage Fund (2023). Our impact. Retrieved from https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/our-impact [3] The Hepworth Wakefield (2021). The Hepworth Wakefield secured record-breaking acquisition with National Lottery support. Retrieved from https://www.hepworthwakefield.org/news/hepworth-wakefield-secured-record-breaking-acquisition-with-national-lottery-support [4] European Lotteries (2021). Cultural diversity and inclusion. Retrieved from https://www.european-lotteries.org/cultural-diversity-and-inclusion [5] European Lotteries (2022). Neurodiversity education. Retrieved from https://www.european-lotteries.org/neurodiversity-education
- The European Lotteries, after convening at the Royal Library of Belgium, discussed the integration of digital tools to enhance their industry's access, fundraising, and community engagement, matching the needs of today's digital landscape.
- The UK’s National Lottery Heritage Fund, funded by lottery players, distributes over £600 million yearly to community projects, supporting museums, heritage conservation efforts, and inclusive societal projects.
- In March 2023, Belgium announced stricter gambling regulations aimed at deterring online gambling addiction, including a ban on gambling incentives such as bonuses and complimentary bets.
- The promotion of inclusion and community identity through lottery-funded grants extends beyond preserving physical artifacts to promoting diverse cultural memories and histories, such as neurodiversity education and safe spaces for marginalized communities.
- European Lotteries provide substantial funding to various sectors, including education-and-self-development and personal-growth, as well as the casino-and-gambling industry, demonstrating their far-reaching impact on society.
