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Belgium expands EPIS system requirements to newspaper retailers with F2 licences from May 2026, mandating player identification checks before betting participation.
Mar 4, 2026 · 9 min read
The Belgian Gaming Commission has clarified mandatory EPIS system implementation for newspaper retailers, responding to operator inquiries following its initial announcement of 25 November 2025. From 1 May 2026, all newspaper retailers operating with F2 licences must integrate the Electronic Player Information System (EPIS), requiring comprehensive player verification before any betting activity can commence.
The updated guidance addresses technical implementation questions and establishes operational parameters for Belgium's expanding player protection framework. Players at newspaper retail locations will undergo identification, age verification, and EPIS checks before participating in betting, creating regulatory parity with established gambling venues.
Unlike gambling establishments where verification occurs through dedicated staff processes, identification and EPIS checks at newsagents are carried out on the device itself. Operators must authenticate players in EPIS using a suitable computer system as referenced in Article 54/1 §3, first paragraph, termed an 'identification module'.
This identification module is positioned directly on the betting device, requiring players to insert their identity documents for automated verification. The system represents a significant technological upgrade for newspaper retail betting operations, moving from manual oversight to automated compliance monitoring.
The Gaming Commission has developed technical guidelines rather than binding royal decree provisions, acknowledging that current legislation does not specify technical implementation consequences. These guidelines facilitate the certification process while allowing operators flexibility on non-regulated technical aspects.
1 May 2026
Mandatory EPIS Implementation Date
25 November 2025
Initial Commission Announcement Date
4
Approved Identification Document Types
Belgian gaming legislation strictly limits acceptable identity documents for EPIS verification under Article 54/1 §3, paragraph 2, in conjunction with Article 54/1, §2. The Gaming Act permits only four specific identification categories:
The Belgian electronic identity card serves as the primary identification method for domestic players. Electronic residence permits or electronic registration certificates provide verification for registered foreign residents, with additional information available through the Immigration Office website.
Foreign identity cards with embedded chips offer verification for international players, while special electronic identity cards issued to diplomatic and consular mission personnel and their family members complete the approved identification spectrum.
Important
Only the legally prescribed identification methods are permitted. Alternative identification forms – including passports, player cards, membership cards, or digital identity applications – are explicitly prohibited under current legislation.
Test cards with contact chips can be ordered through the Belgian eID supplier website, utilising identical protocols for all contact chip verification. The system accepts both contact and contactless chip cards, provided they meet the legal identification requirements.
| Identification Type | Eligibility | Chip Type |
|---|---|---|
| Belgian electronic identity card | Domestic players | Contact/Contactless |
| Electronic residence permits | Registered foreign residents | Contact/Contactless |
| Foreign identity cards with chips | International players | Contact/Contactless |
| Special diplomatic electronic cards | Diplomatic personnel & families | Contact/Contactless |
Identification Requirements
Only four specific identification categories are legally permitted for EPIS verification: Belgian electronic identity cards, electronic residence permits, foreign identity cards with embedded chips, and special diplomatic electronic identity cards. Alternative forms including passports, player cards, or digital identity applications are strictly prohibited.
The legislation mandates automatic verification exclusively through the identification module system. Newsagent staff cannot perform manual identification, age verification, or EPIS checks, including manual entry of player surnames, first names, or birth dates. This restriction applies even when players use the operator's computer system rather than dedicated terminals.
Non-Belgian players face identical verification requirements regardless of nationality or residence status. Players unable to present approved identification documents cannot participate in betting activities, maintaining consistent compliance standards across all user demographics.
Verification timing proves critical for operational compliance. Identification, age verification, and EPIS verification must occur before any interaction between players and betting options becomes possible. Prohibited actions before verification include:
However, identification requirements do not extend to the payment of existing winning tickets, as Article 54/1 provisions do not govern simple ticket redemption processes.
Warning
Newsagent staff are completely prohibited from performing manual identification, age verification, or EPIS checks. This includes manual entry of player information even when using the operator's computer system. All verification must occur automatically through the identification module system.
Player validation remains active throughout continuous gaming sessions, provided the identification document stays inserted in the terminal. Session interruption or termination occurs immediately when players remove their identification documents, ensuring continuous verification compliance.
Operator card usage faces strict restrictions under Article 55/5, §1, paragraph 2. These emergency override cards may only be activated when EPIS verification becomes impossible due to circumstances beyond operator control. Technical malfunctions at the Gaming Commission represent the primary scenario justifying operator card deployment.
When operator cards are utilized during exceptional circumstances, no EPIS verification occurs for affected players. Newsagents must maintain detailed records of operator card usage to justify deployment during potential inspections and compliance reviews.
Important
Operator card use is prohibited in numerous scenarios, including when players lack proper identification, when devices cannot read identification documents, when card readers malfunction, or when EPIS systems deny access for player-specific reasons.
The Gaming Commission emphasizes that operator card deployment remains optional. When EPIS verification becomes impossible, operators may simply deny betting terminal access rather than activating override procedures.
Operator Card Best Practices
Operator card deployment remains optional even when EPIS verification becomes impossible. Rather than activating override procedures, operators may simply deny betting terminal access. When operator cards are used, maintain detailed records to justify deployment during compliance reviews and inspections.
Identification modules require approval from accredited organizations under Article 54/1, §3, first paragraph provisions. The Technical Evaluations Department supervises all approvals granted by these accredited institutions according to Article 52 requirements, utilizing technical guidelines published on the Gaming Commission website under operator news sections.
License holders bear responsibility for demonstrating system certification by approved accredited bodies. The Federal Public Service Economy website maintains current lists of authorised certification organisations, though the Gaming Commission cannot influence institutional appointment processes.
Initial certification reports and subsequent software modification reports must reach the Technical Evaluations Department before identification module operation begins, without awaiting approval validation. Operators should inform the Technical Evaluations Department of planned installation schedules, with reports available upon request from the Control Department.
The Gaming Commission assigns unique operator identification codes per establishment, transmitted during EPIS verification processes. Identification modules simultaneously transmit terminal serial numbers through designated Class D licence number fields during verification checks. These serial numbers must display clearly on device exteriors for inspection purposes.
EPIS health check procedures lack specific mandatory frequency requirements, though the Gaming Commission strongly recommends regular use. Health checks become mandatory only during operator card deployment scenarios, ensuring system availability verification before emergency override activation.
Technical environment information, including test and production system specifications, appears in the comprehensive EPIS manual available through the Gaming Commission's SharePoint platform. This manual focuses exclusively on legal obligations, excluding non-binding technical note recommendations.
Prior to regulatory implementation, the Gaming Commission will distribute unique login credentials to each newsagent operator. Test environment credentials become available from mid-February 2026 through secure electronic delivery systems, followed by production environment access at the beginning of March 2026.
Begin Certification Process
Contact accredited organizations to start identification module certification given technical complexity and approval timeframes
Await Test Credentials
Receive unique login credentials for test environment from Gaming Commission via secure delivery in mid-February 2026
Access Production Environment
Obtain production system access credentials at the beginning of March 2026
Install Hardware Systems
Complete identification module installation and terminal serial number display for inspection compliance
Train Staff on Procedures
Educate staff on automated verification requirements and prohibited manual override scenarios
The EPIS expansion represents Belgium's continued commitment to comprehensive player protection across all betting channels. By extending electronic verification requirements to newspaper retailers, the Belgian Gaming Commission eliminates potential regulatory arbitrage between different betting venue types.
This technological mandate will require significant operational adjustments for newspaper retailers, from hardware installation to staff training on new verification procedures. The shift from manual oversight to automated compliance monitoring reflects broader European trends toward standardised player protection mechanisms.
Operators should begin certification processes immediately, given the technical complexity and approval timeframes involved. The Gaming Commission's emphasis on detailed record-keeping suggests enhanced surveillance of compliance implementation, particularly regarding operator card usage justification.
No, manual verification by newsagent staff is strictly prohibited under all circumstances. All identification, age verification, and EPIS checks must occur automatically through the identification module system.
Only four types are legally permitted: Belgian electronic identity cards, electronic residence permits, foreign identity cards with embedded chips, and special diplomatic electronic identity cards. Passports, player cards, and digital identity applications are prohibited.
Operator cards may only be activated when EPIS verification becomes impossible due to circumstances beyond operator control, such as technical malfunctions at the Gaming Commission. They cannot be used for player identification issues or device malfunctions.
Yes, player validation remains active only while the identification document stays inserted in the terminal. Session interruption occurs immediately when players remove their identification documents.
Players cannot participate in betting, place bets, view betting options, compile bet selections, adjust positions, or request cashouts before verification. However, payment of existing winning tickets does not require identification.
According to Gamingcommission.
Legal Disclaimer
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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