🃏 Can I play poker at home for money?

With conditions

Quick answer

A private poker game among friends with limited stakes is in practice tolerated, but organizing or operating poker for profit is illegal without a licence. Under the Gambling Act of 7 May 1999, poker for money is a game of chance. Article 4 forbids operating a game of chance without a Gaming Commission licence. There is no active statutory exemption for home poker; instead, the circular COL 07/2023 of the College of Prosecutors-General makes a friendly game non-priority for prosecution if nine conditions are met — notably: a group activity, no minors, no profit motive (no house rake), no advertising, no credit, only occasional and time-limited, and a stake of maximum €10 per day per player. Organizing poker for profit or offering it online requires a licence (casino = class A, gaming arcade = class B); online only via a licensed operator with a plus licence. Since 1 September 2024 the minimum age is 21 for most games, and since 2023 an advertising ban applies.

📋 The rules

Poker for money is a game of chance; operating it without a licence is forbidden (art. 4 Gambling Act)
Private/friendly play is tolerated (COL 07/2023): group activity, no minors, no profit/house rake
Conditions: no advertising, no credit, occasional and limited, stake ≤ €10 per day per player
Organized/commercial poker requires a licence (class A casino, class B gaming arcade)
Online poker only via a licensed operator with a plus licence (Gaming Commission whitelist)
Minimum age 21 since 1 September 2024; advertising ban for gambling since 1 July 2023

🔓 Exceptions

A genuinely private, friendly game meeting all the COL conditions is not prosecuted
Card games without stakes or purely for fun are not a game of chance for money

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Operating a game of chance or gaming establishment without a licence (art. 63 Gambling Act) is punished with imprisonment of 6 months to 5 years and a fine of €100 to €100,000 (to be multiplied by the surcharges), or one of the two. Participating in, facilitating or advertising illegal gambling (art. 64) can bring 1 month to 3 years in prison and €26 to €25,000. On top come confiscation and closure.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

Can I play poker at home for money with friends?

A private game among friends is tolerated if it meets the conditions: no minors, no profit motive (no house rake), no advertising, occasional and with a stake of maximum €10 per day per player.

When does home poker become illegal?

As soon as you organize or operate it for profit — for example with a house rake, or as a publicly accessible game. Then you need a Gaming Commission licence, otherwise it is punishable.

Can I play poker online?

Only with an operator holding a valid Belgian plus licence (on the Gaming Commission whitelist). The minimum age is 21 since 1 September 2024.

What does someone organizing illegal poker risk?

Operating without a licence can bring 6 months to 5 years in prison and a fine of €100 to €100,000 (art. 63), plus confiscation and closure. Participating in or advertising an illegal game is also punishable.

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