Belgium Approval given to Online Poker Sites
This was published 04-01-2012PokerStars.be is one of three online poker sites to be given approval by the Belgian Government to offer their real money services to gamblers. Any unauthorized sites will be blocked by the country’s ISP’S in accordance with the new gambling laws inBelgium.
AfterBelgiummade its plans to regulate the online gambling market public, PokerStars, the world’s largest poker site, signed a partnership with Circus Groupe, which includes Namur Casino, making it possible for both companies to offer online poker under the regulation of the Belgian Gaming Commission. This resulted in Poker Stars meeting the conditions set by the Belgian Gaming Commission and being granted approval this week.
Joining forces with Circus Groupe enabled PokerStars to work with a licensed partner inBelgiumwith lots of experience in land-based poker while the Namur Casino will be in a position to offer the Belgian market the most successful online poker platform.
The other two sites that received approval to operate are Partouche.be and Casiono77.com.
In accordance withBelgium’s new Gambling Act, only approved sites are entitled to offer real-money online poker and the country’s largest internet service providers have been ordered to block all other unauthorized sites.
Online poker sites such as Party Poker and the iPoker network have criticized the Belgian Gaming Act and referred to it as “unenforceable” until such time that taxation regime issues have been resolved.
Sander Siezen, marketing manager for PokerStars in theBelgium,Netherlandsand Luxembourgh region, stated that PokerStars.com and the Circus Groupe are logical partners with CasinoDeNamur.be, having the largest live poker events offering inBelgium. He added that Poker Stars is also the world’s largest poker site, organizing the largest live poker series, the EPT.
The new regulations that came into effect on January 1st inBelgium have not clarified the issue of taxation on winnings, leaving many players wondering exactly how much they will be required to pay the government if they hit a windfall.
