Responsible gambling: What is EPIS?
The popularity of online casinos is almost unimaginable. As a result, more and more online casinos seem to be springing up like mushrooms. Consequently, to curb gambling addiction and financial loss, several countries such as Belgium have taken precautionary measures.
The EPIS list – also known as the Excluded Persons Information System – is an important tool that should prevent gambling problems. This register, or ‘blacklist’, is a collection of names of persons who are excluded from participating in both online and offline gambling activities.
Why does the EPIS exist?
The EPIS list is a strategic tool created by the Belgian state to promote responsible gaming and reduce gambling problems. In fact, it is a prevention tool that protects vulnerable players from their own gambling behaviour.
How do you get on the EPIS list?
There are basically two ways through which you can get on the EPIS list. You can register yourself voluntarily or third parties such as a family member, a friend, as well as a judge or psychologist, can register you.
Voluntary enrolment
For gambling addicts, voluntary enrolment is often an important step in their recovery process. By voluntarily enrolling, they thus take back control over their problematic gambling behaviour. Enrolment is simple, confidential and always done through the Gambling Commission.
Players can contact the Gaming Commission themselves for an EPIS list registration. You can contact them by phone, in writing or online via the website.
Once you are registered, you remain on the list indefinitely. However, you do have the option to deregister after at least six months. You do this by submitting a new application to the Gaming Commission.
Registration by third parties
When someone ends up on the EPIS list through third-party registration, this is usually because the problematic gambling behaviour also causes problems for those close to them. Examples include family members or friends who wish to protect the gambler from themselves, as well as judges and psychologists acting in the gambler’s interests.
Does someone end up on the EPIS list through the actions of third parties? Then the person in question is notified first and can also appeal. This can prevent someone from being wrongly blacklisted.
What if you are on the list?
If you are on the EPIS list, the consequence is that you cannot participate in gambling activities either online or in land-based casinos. This is because legal gambling sites, online casinos and land-based casinos in Belgium are obliged to check all their players to see if they are on the EPIS list. If this is the case then they are obliged to deny access to the player.
How to remove yourself from the list?
Those who have registered on the list are subject to a minimum six-month gambling ban. Participating in legal gambling activities in Belgium, both online and offline is then no longer possible. Removal is possible after this period and after submitting an application to the Gaming Commission.
It is important that in this application you give clear reasons why you are ready to be taken off the list. Additional information may be requested here and a hearing may even take place. Once the Gambling Commission has evaluated your application, they will determine whether or not you will effectively be removed from the list.
How to register yourself on the EPIS list?
To register yourself on the EPIS list, you can simply follow these steps.
- Download the exclusion form from the Belgian Gaming Commission ‘s site and print it out.
- Fill in your personal details.
- Add a copy of your identity card.
- Sign with your signature.
- Send everything in an envelope to the attention of the Gaming Commission, Kantersteen 47, 1000 Brussels.
You can also easily register online via the website of the Gambling Commission.
How to gamble legally if you are on the EPIS list?
Legal gambling is unfortunately not possible if you are on the EPIS list. The list is therefore specifically designed to deny persons on the list access to online/offline casinos and thus protect them from their own gambling behaviour.
However, the EPIS list does not apply to foreign casinos. Here it is still possible to gamble. However, it is important to recognise the risks involved. If you do gamble in a Belgian casino if you are on the EPIS list, you are entering illegal territory with possible criminal consequences.
Why is the EPIS list important for responsible gambling?
By protecting vulnerable players through exclusion from gambling activities, (hopefully) fewer and fewer people end up in gambling addictions and gambling problems. This only benefits the entire gambling world. Because less problematic gambling behaviour makes for a more sustainable gambling industry!
