Online poker players in Belgium can now access a range of cash games alongside international tournaments such as the World Championship Of Online Poker.
Friday 10th February 2012
Online poker fans in Belgium can now enjoy a wide range of cash games as well as access to international tournaments including the World Championship Of Online Poker (WCOOP) at PokerStars.be after the site was granted a full operating licence.
PokerStars.be is a joint venture with Casino De Namur, which is owned by the Circus Group, and its full A-plus operating licence from the Belgian Gaming Commission follows a recent test phase and joins other successful approvals by affiliated domains in Italy, France, Estonia and Denmark.
“PokerStars is proud to be among the first fully-licensed operators in Belgium,” said Guy Templer, Head of Business Development for PokerStars.
“We are delighted to be able to offer a locally licensed product to Belgian players through our partnership with Circus Groupe. This furthers our goal to obtain licences in all newly-regulated markets and we look forward to working with the Circus Groupe and the Belgian Gaming Commission.”
The Belgian Gaming Commission has indicated that only fully-licensed operators will be permitted to offer online gaming services in the country beginning this year and authorities are to actively seek to prevent unlicensed operators from accessing players in the European nation.
“We are delighted that, with the great efforts and cooperation of the Belgian Gaming Commission, we have been able to become fully regulated in the Belgium market,” said Jean Christophe Choffray, Head of Online Gaming for Circus Groupe.
Belgian players at PokerStars.be will also be able to participate in global competitions such as the Sunday Million and the Spring Championship Of Online Poker (SCOOP) alongside those logging in via one of the operator’s affiliated domains that include PokerStars.it, PokerStars.fr, PokerStars.ee and PokerStars.dk.
“This is an important step forward for the regulation of online gambling,” said Etienne Marique, Chairman for the Belgian Gaming Commission.
“Not only is the legal framework offering the possibility for operators to offer their online games of chance but, from an economical point of view, gambling operators are given opportunities in Belgium. And all this in an environment that protects players more than illegal websites do. For example, excluded players cannot play at licensed websites and an average hourly loss is applicable to each player.”
