A new bill ready to ban online gambling at youth contests. “Youth competitions often remain under the radar, which opens the door to bribery and match fixing,” says parliament member Els Van Hoof in De Zondag.

“About 20 percent of the Belgian students indicate that they have ever done sports betting,” says Van Hoof. “Gambling is for minors prohibited under the gambling law of 1999.” According to the Leuven politician, it is therefore wrong that money can be used at competitions in which minors mainly participate.

In addition, gambling at youth competitions according to Van Hoof also encourages abuse. “Youth competitions usually take place far away from cameras, and because they remain more under the radar, the door to abuse is wide open, so that youth players could become victims of match fixing.”

According to the Leuven politician, it is therefore wrong that money can be used at competitions in which minors mainly participate. In addition, gambling at youth competitions according to Van Hoof also encourages abuse. ‘Youth competitions usually take place far away from cameras. Because they stay more under the radar, the door to abuse is wide open. Youth players could thus become victims of match fixing. ‘