Belgian Gaming Commission Updates EPIS Rules for Newsagents

Belgium's Gaming Commission has issued detailed clarifications on the implementation of the EPIS system for newspaper retailers, updating guidance first published on 25 November 2025 following extensive industry consultation.

From 1 May 2026, newspaper retailers holding F2 licences must integrate EPIS verification into their betting operations, requiring all players to complete identification, age verification and exclusion checks before accessing any betting services. The regulatory update addresses technical implementation questions raised by operators ahead of the mandatory rollout.

Mandatory Device-Based Authentication

Unlike traditional gambling establishments, newspaper retailers must conduct identification and EPIS checks directly on betting devices through dedicated identification modules. This represents a significant operational shift requiring new hardware and certification processes.

The Technical Evaluations Department will oversee approval systems for identification modules, which must be certified by accredited organisations before deployment. Operators must demonstrate compliance through formal certification reports submitted prior to system activation.

Restricted Identification Methods

The Gaming Commission has established strict parameters for acceptable identification documents, limiting options to four specific categories:

• Belgian electronic identity card
• Electronic residence permit or electronic registration certificate (details available via the Immigration Office)
• Foreign identity card with chip technology
• Special electronic identity cards for diplomatic and consular personnel and family members

Notably excluded methods include passports, player membership cards, and digital identity applications. The regulation explicitly prohibits manual EPIS verification, requiring automatic document reading through approved identification modules.

Universal Application Requirements

The EPIS requirements apply universally regardless of player nationality or residence status. Non-Belgian players must present one of the approved identification documents to participate in betting activities.

Pre-verification requirements extend to all betting interactions, including:

• Participating in or placing bets
• Viewing available betting options
• Compiling combination bets
• Adjusting existing wagers
• Requesting cashouts for ongoing bets

The Gaming Commission clarified that identification remains unnecessary for paying out existing winning tickets, as Article 54/1 does not apply to simple payout transactions.

Session Management Protocols

Player verification remains valid throughout continuous gaming sessions, provided the identification document stays inserted in the device. Removing the identification document immediately interrupts or terminates the session, requiring fresh verification for continued play.

The Gaming Commission emphasized that Class D licences are not required for newspaper retailers or their employees, distinguishing these operations from traditional gaming establishments.

Emergency Operator Card Procedures

Operator cards may only be activated when EPIS control becomes impossible due to circumstances beyond the operator's control, such as technical malfunctions at the Gaming Commission. Even in these exceptional cases, operators must verify player identity and age before device activation, though EPIS exclusion checks cannot be performed.

The regulation explicitly prohibits operator card use in multiple scenarios:

• Player lacks proper identification documents
• Device cannot read player's identification
• Card reader malfunction or operational failure
• EPIS system denies device access

Technical Implementation Standards

Each establishment receives a unique operator ID from the Gaming Commission for EPIS integration. Identification modules must transmit both this operator ID and the terminal's serial number during verification processes, with serial numbers clearly visible on device exteriors.

The EPIS health check system requires mandatory use only when operator cards are deployed in exceptional circumstances. While recommended for general operations, no specific frequency requirements exist for routine health check usage.

Certification and Access Framework

Accredited organisations authorised to approve identification modules are listed on the FPS Economy website. The Gaming Commission cannot intervene in appointing these certification bodies, maintaining regulatory independence in the approval process.

Technical documentation, including EPIS manuals and environment specifications, will be available through the Gaming Commission's SharePoint platform. The manual covers legal obligations without incorporating non-binding technical recommendations from the guidance note.

Deployment Timeline and Credentials

The Commission will provide unique login credentials for each newsagent ahead of the 1 May 2026 implementation deadline. Test environment access becomes available mid-February 2026 via electronic secure channels, with production credentials following in early March.

Initial certification reports and any subsequent software modification documentation must be submitted to the Technical Evaluations Department before system operation begins. The Control Department can access these reports upon request for compliance monitoring.

Regulatory Enforcement Context

The updated guidance emerges from the Gaming Commission's consultation process with industry operators, translating legal requirements into practical technical specifications without creating additional binding obligations beyond existing legislation.

Since Belgium halts F2 betting licences after decree annulment, the Gaming Commission developed this guidance framework to facilitate industry certification processes while maintaining regulatory consistency.

Strategic Implications for Market Compliance

This comprehensive EPIS expansion represents Belgium's commitment to standardising player protection across all betting channels. The device-based verification requirement creates operational complexity for newspaper retailers while establishing technological barriers that may reshape the competitive landscape.

The restriction to chip-enabled identification documents effectively excludes players without modern documentation, potentially impacting customer accessibility in certain demographics. Operators must balance compliance costs against market reach as the mandatory deadline approaches. The emergency operator card protocols provide essential business continuity safeguards while maintaining strict oversight controls. However, the detailed record-keeping requirements and narrow exemption criteria suggest regulators will scrutinise any deviation from standard EPIS procedures during compliance reviews.

According to Belgian Gaming Commission.