House rules

These House Rules (hereinafter “HR”) define the access and participation conditions for the sports betting offer by the fixed or mobile land-based class IV establishments operating Circus sports betting terminals (hereinafter “Betting Shop” or “Establishment” or “CIRCUS”), from the company holding the F2 license issued by the Belgian Gaming Commission.

It contains important legal information relating to accessing and participating in the sports betting offer in Betting shops. We invite you to read it carefully.

 

1. Définitions

• Betting shops: refers to the land-based fixed or mobile class IV establishments operated by the companies mentioned below.
• Establishment: the companies operating the Betting Shops: CASINO DE SPA SA, CIRCUS BELGIUM SA and its subsidiaries, GAMBLING MANAGEMENT SA and LUCKY BET SR and all the companies that could be acquired or incorporated in the future by one of the companies listed above and who have the head office and place of business on the Belgian Gaming Commission website (https://data.gamingcommission.be/licenses/FB/latest/table.html?lang=en) (hereinafter “CIRCUS”).
• Belgian Gaming Commission or “BGC”: refers to the advisory, decision-making and monitoring organization regarding games of chance that issued the Establishment’s operating license and has its head office at Cantersteen 47, 1000 Brussels (gamingcommission.be).
• Law: refers to the Act of 7 May 1999 on games of chance and its decrees of implementation as well as any directive or recommendation from the BGC.
• Privacy Policy: refers to the rules applicable to the processing by the Betting Shop of its customers’ personal data; it is available at the Establishment’s reception and via this link: https://www.circus-sport-places.be/en/privacy-policy/.
• The Rules or HR: these house rules.

 

2. Scope – enforceability

• The HR define the access conditions for the Establishment and the participation conditions for the sports betting within the Establishment, without prejudice to the house rules applicable to its game of chance activities. It is available at the reception of each Establishment as well as the Establishment’s Website, which is accessible here.

The rules relating to the processing by the Establishment of its customers’ personal data are defined in the Privacy Policy, which is an integral part of the HR. It is available at the Establishment’s reception and here.

Access to and participation in online games of chance operated by CIRCUS BELGIUM SA through the license F1+, FA+124893 of the website www.circus-sport-places.be are not governed by these HR; the rules pertaining to them are available online at the aforementioned website.

• Access to the Establishment and participation in the sports betting offer are reserved for customers who have previously registered at the Establishment’s reception using the registration form made available for this purpose.

By accessing the Establishment and registering at the reception, the customer takes note of CIRCUS’ HR and Privacy policy and accepts them. They agree to fully comply with them.

 

3. Access to the Establishment

• Age. Access to the Establishment is prohibited for people under 21 years old.
• Players prohibited from gaming. Access to the Establishment is prohibited for any customer who is banned from gambling by request or by the BGC’s decision.
• Identification documents. The Betting Shop is obliged to ask every customer, when registering, to provide a valid identity document containing their first name, last name, date of birth and a recent photo of the customer. The document must be in date and be issued by a competent authority for issuing the said document. The customer guarantees that the information on the documents provided is authentic, accurate and up to date.
• Carrying firearms and cold weapons is strictly prohibited, even if the person holds a license. Likewise, access is prohibited to people who are inebriated or under the influence of illegal substances, such as drugs. It is forbidden to bring any item into the Betting Shop that is explosive, flammable or more generally that is prohibited by law or likely to endanger the safety of the occupants of the Betting Shop. The Betting Shop expressly reserves the right to refuse access to anyone who violates this provision.
• Dress code. Smart casual dress is required. To respect others and for the purposes of enabling the Establishment to monitor compliance with the Law and the HR and to ensure the security of the Establishment and its customers, CIRCUS notably reserves the right to refuse access to customers, even those already registered, who are wearing shorts above the knee, sports tracksuits, sleeveless t-shirts, or any item hiding all or part of the face, such as masks, hoods, hats, caps, sunglasses, etc.

For the same reasons, CIRCUS reserves the right to enforce the chargeable use of a coatroom for coats, bulky jackets, towels, packages, suitcases, backpacks and motorcycle helmets.

• Drinks and food. It is prohibited to access the CIRCUS Establishment with drinks or food.
• CIRCUS is obliged to ensure compliance with the access conditions set out by the Law, the regulations in force for the game of chance sector and the HR during registration and each time a customer visits. In the event of fraud or non-compliance by the customer with the access conditions for the Establishment defined by the Law, the regulations in force for the game of chance sector or the HR, CIRCUS reserves the right to i) deny the customer access to the Establishment; and ii) bring the facts to the attention of the BGC and iii) if necessary, file a complaint to the judiciary authorities. Any suspicion of forgery or use of fake documents will be subject to a complaint to the judicial authorities and will be reported to the BGC.

 

4. Participation in the sports betting offer

• The sports betting offer by the Betting shop.

1. Metrology and functioning of machines. All the Establishment’s machines have been certified by the BGC’s metrology service and conform with the Law. Their operation has been authorized and inspected by the BGC.
2. Responsible gaming. CIRCUS applies the strictest rules regarding responsible gaming and betting and preventing gaming and sports betting addiction. CIRCUS recommends that players gamble in moderation. The player is informed that increasing the length of time or frequency of play can lead to addiction or mental fragility in some people. The player should be aware that addiction consists of inappropriate, persistent and repeated gambling. The pleasure of playing turns into a compelling need to gamble, causing serious consequences for the player and those around them. Both CIRCUS and the player undertake to maintain constant vigilance in this area. If there is a suspicion that they themselves or another customer is addicted, the player undertakes to contact the Establishment’s staff to obtain assistance.
   • Conditions for using games. In order to respect the legislation on the hourly loss per console, players are only allowed to play on a maximum of one console at a time.

CIRCUS prohibits granting customers any form of bonuses, gifts and rewards that are not strictly included in the normal redistribution of the game and/or are dependent on an action by the customer other than their participation in the bet.

CIRCUS declines all responsibility in the event of interruption of services for external reasons (technical failure, fire, human action or other) as well as if the Customer fails to comply with the HR. In the event of an interruption of services for external reasons, it is agreed that the customer waives the recovery of an amount greater than their stake during the interrupted game.

Without prejudice to sections 6 and 7 of these HR, in the event of a win obtained i) in violation of the Rules, or ii) due to abusive behavior or expediency on the part of the player, a possible collusion with a Betting Shop staff member, or iii) as a result of a defect, malfunction or anomaly in a terminal or any Betting Shop equipment or any software that interoperates with these) or even in a fortuitous case, CIRCUS reserves the right to ask the player to return all the winnings generated and/or delivered, without prejudice to other proceedings, in particular criminal or civil, and damages and interests that CIRCUS reserves the right to claim in the event of alleged fraudulent behavior on the part of the customer.

Without prejudice to sections 6 and 7 of these HR, in the event of a complaint by a customer concerning a win generated as a result of a defect, a malfunction or an anomaly of a terminal or any other Betting Shop equipment or a fortuitous event, only the reimbursement of the stakes will be granted, and this i) excluding any compensation for the loss of an opportunity, and ii) provided that the Betting Shop staff confirm the defect, malfunction or anomaly of the device concerned. If the technical department is not able to confirm the possible failure of the machine, no refund will be made.

• Customers’ obligations.

1. Customers are obliged:
2. i) Not to commit any act contrary to public order and good morals and, furthermore, to adopt a correct and decent attitude towards other customers and members of the Establishment’s staff; consequently and in particular, it is forbidden to consume illegal substances, to behave in an aggressive, rude or provocative physical or verbal way towards other customers or the members of staff, to sleep within the Establishment, or to put one’s feet up on the machines or on any of the other furnishings in the Establishment.
3. To respect the comfort of other customers and keep a reasonable distance behind or at the side of customers when they are playing, in order to not disturb them.
4. To only smoke in the areas reserved for smoking by the Establishment, who make designated smoking areas available to customers.

• To respect all the health and safety measures in force within the Establishment.

1. To report any defect or suspected defect, malfunction or anomaly observed when using the betting terminals or any other equipment in the Betting Shop. The customer acknowledges that they will in any event not be able to withdraw any winnings related to this possible defect and renounces any claim in this regard. Any breach of this reporting obligation is liable to be sanctioned in accordance with section 7 of the HR.
2. Customers are prohibited from:
3. Granting any form of loan or credit to other customers, or entering into a transaction of any kind with them, for any kind of compensation, for the purpose of participating in a game, paying a stake or loss, or a credit or an advance;
4. Using the “credit card” feature of any payment method;

• Asking a customer or member of the Establishment’s staff to grant a gift or loan, of any kind, for any compensation, financial or other.

1. Initiating or participating in any match fixing or collaborative betting;
2. Attempting to alter the result of a bet or the amount collected, automatic or not, for any purpose whatsoever, including in the event of a system or betting terminal failure. The Establishment’s staff are expressly authorized to interrupt any bet in progress in case of suspicion;
3. Reserving a machine for themselves or on behalf of another player. However, CIRCUS allows customers to temporarily leave the betting terminal to withdraw money or move their vehicle, access the smoking area, etc., in accordance with the reservation procedure established by the Establishment.

 

5. Security and surveillance

• Surveillance. The Establishment is equipped with a CCTV system to ensure the safety of their customers and staff as well as the correct functioning of the game of chance machines. The terms and conditions and purposes of the processing of images are subject to the Privacy Policy. The CCTV cameras are indicated using a symbol and declared to the police.
• Use of electronic devices. It is not authorized to make a recording, of any types, including photos, videos and audio recordings within the Establishment, without prior agreement from the Betting shop and complying with the rights of third parties, including the Establishment’s staff.
• Wi-Fi use. The Establishment provides a free Wi-Fi connection; CIRCUS reserves the discretionary right to configure the access and use conditions of this. In addition, without prejudice to article 4.3 of the HR, customers shall i) refrain from any use that is likely to jeopardize the security of the Establishment, including its IT infrastructure; ii) refrain from downloading any file or browsing pages whose security is not guaranteed and/or whose volume is likely to disrupt the proper functioning of the connection; iii) respect the law by refraining from accessing, putting online or displaying content and information, whether or not it comes from the internet network, that is considered against public order or good morals or likely to damage CIRCUS or a third party, such as information, messages, texts, images or videos of a violent nature, inciting violence or hatred, degrading to the human person, pornographic or pedophilic and/or provocative and damaging to the integrity or sensibility of any person.

 

6. Responsibilities

• Customer’s responsibility. The customer remains solely responsible for their participation in CIRCUS’ sports betting offer. The customer remains solely responsible for their goods and personal belongings during their visit to the Establishment. Consequently, CIRCUS declines all responsibility in this respect, including in the event of theft, loss or damage to any customer’s good or personal belongings, including those left by customers in the cloakrooms.

The customer remains solely responsible for their use of the Establishment infrastructures, and is liable to the sanctions provided for in article 7 in addition to legal remedies in the event of non-compliance with the Law or the HR. Under no circumstances can CIRCUS be held, jointly or severally liable with the customer or not, for the latter’s use of the Betting Shop’s equipment and the consequences of this use.

Without prejudice to the sanctions provided for in article 7 of the HR, no winnings, even those paid, can be considered definitively acquired by the customer in the event of non-compliance by the customer with the Law or the HR, or of fraudulent or abusive use of the infrastructures by the customer or a third party, for their benefit or for the benefit of a third party (in particular in the case of cheating or bet manipulation, abuse or willful damage caused to the devices or the infrastructure of the Establishment).

The customer will hold CIRCUS and third parties harmless for any direct or indirect damage, of any kind whatsoever, that CIRCUS or third parties would suffer in the event of non-compliance with the Law, the HR, the regulations in force or, more generally, for any fault the customer may commit during their visit to the Establishment. This will notably be the case in the event of deliberate damage to the equipment or infrastructure of the buildings, the repairs of which will, without prejudice to article 7, be borne by the customer.

Access to and use of the Wi-Fi made available by the Betting shop is carried out at the customer’s risk, who declares they are aware that they may be subject to other conditions of use or to other provisions regarding games of chance and sports betting or the protection of privacy and, in general, to rules other than those applicable to participation in the sports betting offer by CIRCUS. The customer also accepts that downloading files and more generally content, as well as using and sharing these with third parties is done under their own responsibility; they therefore remain solely responsible for any damage caused to their smartphone and the possible loss of any data resulting from downloading, sharing or using these files.

• Responsibility of CIRCUS. Except for gross or intentional negligence, CIRCUS is not liable for direct or indirect damage, notably including the loss of luck, profits, images or expected savings, caused to the customer as a result of their participation in the sports betting offer by CIRCUS, due to i) the inaccessibility or breakdown of an automatic game of chance machine offering betting, for whatever reason, ii) the occurrence of a case of force majeure, iii) a defect not attributable to CIRCUS rendering the automatic game of chance machine offering betting unfit for its intended use, such as a virus or a malicious act of a third party; iv) the actions of others, or v) the actions of the customer, in particular if these actions result from the customer’s own failure to comply with the Law or the HR.

In any case, if CIRCUS’ liability must be recognized, for whatever reason or grounds, for any damage or inconvenience of any kind, direct or indirect, foreseeable or unforeseeable, notably including damage resulting from a gambling addiction (medical care, loss of employment, hospital costs, etc.), the maximum amount of compensation for which CIRCUS could be held liable will be limited for all causes and all damage to the lower of the two following amounts: the customer’s stake or a lump sum of 250 euros.

Sanctions. Without prejudice to article 6 of the HR, in the event of non-compliance with the Law or HR by the customer, CIRCUS reserves the right to temporarily or permanently exclude the customer. Excluded customers will only be authorized to register again with prior agreement from CIRCUS’ management.

CIRCUS also reserves the right to make the BGC and judiciary authorities aware of any criminal offense or suspected criminal offenses they become aware of that have been committed by the customer during a visit to the Establishment.

 

7. Other

• Applicable law – disputes. This HR is subject to Belgian law. All disputes relating to the formation, interpretation and execution of the HR will be exclusively subject to the competence of Liège Commercial Court, Liège district.
• Partial invalidity. If one of the clauses of the HR is declared null in application of a law or following a final decision by a competent court, it will be deemed unwritten, the other clauses nevertheless retain their effect and scope.
• Non waiver. The fact that CIRCUS does not require the customer to strictly apply a HR clause or does not invoke a right that appears in the HR, can never be interpreted as a waiver by CIRCUS of its right to use it, nor as a surrender of its rights, and CIRCUS may at any time require the client to strictly and fully apply the HR.
• Electronic communication – Probative force. The customer declares and accepts that these HR are based on the Customer’s consent to its content, as described in the consent process defined in Article 2 of the HR and is considered to be entered into conforming to the requirements of Art. XII. 15 and s. of the Belgian code of economic law, of Art. 3.10 and Art. 3.12 of EU Regulation no. 910/2014 of the European Parliament and EU Council of 23 July 2014 and Art. 8.1 and Art. 8.12 of section 8 of the (Belgian) Civil Code. In addition, CIRCUS and the customer agree on the opposability and probative value of any emails exchanged between them via messaging software, as long as this mail is composed of a series of intelligible and accessible signs, as required by the aforementioned legal provisions. The parties waive the right to discuss the probative value of an email that does not implement an advanced electronic signature within the meaning of Art. 26 of the European Regulation no. 910/2014 of the European Parliament and the EU Council of 23 July 2014.
• Update. CIRCUS reserves the right to update the HR at any time. However, any modifications will only come into force from the customer’s next visit, when CIRCUS will request their agreement to the new HR. Any updates will be brought to the Customer’s attention by the Betting shop access management module available at reception.

 

8. Contact details

For any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the staff of your Betting Shop, who will do their utmost to respond as quickly as possible.