PokerStars and Circus Groupe Get Joint Belgian License

The two groups join in cooperation, which turns out to be fruitful

An announcement came this week from Circus Groupe and PokerStars that, after a test phase, a designated Belgian Pokerstars site now officially holds a Belgian online poker license under the name Casino de Namur A+ license.

This is the largest site to get the license in Belgium. It is jointly operated by Casino de Namur, and it enables Belgian punters to take part in all PokerStars international tournaments and cash games.

It has been explained by chairman of the Belgian Gaming Commission, Etienne Marique: “This is an important step forward for the regulation of online gambling. Not only is the legal framework delivering the possibility for operators to offer their online games of chance, but from an economics 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 players are protected by an average hourly loss restriction.”

In a comment on the license, Jean Christophe Choffray, head of online gaming at Circus Groupe, said: “We are delighted that with the great efforts and co-operation of the Gaming Board we have been able to become fully regulated in the Belgium market.”

Another comment arrived from PokerStars’ Guy Templer: “PokerStars is proud to be among the first fully-licensed operators in Belgium. 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.”

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