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Belgium's Gaming Commission has published draft technical guidelines for EPIS checks at newspaper retailers, seeking industry feedback before final rules.
Mar 2, 2026 · 3 min read
Belgium's Gaming Commission has released draft technical guidelines for implementing EPIS checks at newspaper retailers, marking a significant step toward the May 1, 2026 enforcement deadline.
The new regulations mandate that EPIS checks must be conducted through certified computer systems installed on retailer devices. These systems require certification from institutions accredited under Title 2 of Book VIII of the Code of Economic Law, overseen by the Gaming Commission's Technical Evaluations Department.
Responding to sector requests, the Gaming Commission's secretariat developed technical guidance to streamline the certification process for newspaper retailers preparing for compliance.
EPIS Certification Requirements
All EPIS systems must be certified by institutions accredited under Title 2 of Book VIII of the Code of Economic Law, with oversight from the Gaming Commission's Technical Evaluations Department.
The technical note remains a working document, with operators invited to submit questions and comments until Friday, ==January 23== via [email protected]. The Gaming Commission initially planned to publish final guidelines by end-January 2026.
However, an January 28, 2026 update revealed the final version's publication will be delayed "by a few days" due to substantial industry feedback volume.
| Timeline Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Industry Consultation Deadline | January 23, 2026 | Open |
| Original Guidelines Publication | End-January 2026 | Delayed |
| Updated Publication Target | January 28, 2026 + few days | Pending |
| EPIS Enforcement Deadline | May 1, 2026 | Fixed |
Warning
The Gaming Commission has delayed the final technical guidelines publication beyond the originally planned end-January 2026 timeline due to substantial industry feedback volume requiring additional review time.
The extended consultation period reflects the complexity of integrating EPIS systems across Belgium's newspaper retail network. With the May 2026 deadline approaching, operators must balance system development timelines with regulatory compliance requirements, making these technical specifications critical for market preparation.
Compliance Deadline Approaching
With the May 1, 2026 enforcement deadline rapidly approaching, operators must carefully balance system development timelines with regulatory compliance requirements to ensure successful EPIS implementation across Belgium's newspaper retail network.
Industry stakeholders can submit questions and comments until Friday, January 23 via [email protected]. The Gaming Commission is reviewing all feedback before publishing final guidelines.
The enforcement deadline is May 1, 2026. All newspaper retailers must have certified EPIS check systems installed and operational by this date to maintain compliance.
EPIS systems must be certified by institutions accredited under Title 2 of Book VIII of the Code of Economic Law. The Gaming Commission's Technical Evaluations Department oversees this certification process.
According to Gaming Commission Belgium.
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This content reflects a general overview of regulatory frameworks based on publicly available information. It does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion. iGamingWriter.blog disclaims any liability arising from reliance on this material.
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