PokerStars Granted Belgium License

The world’s largest online poker room, PokerStars, will now be able to operate from Belgium.

The company is one of the first to be granted the Casino de Namur A+ license by Belgium’s Gaming Commission. 

"This is an important step forward for the regulation of online gambling," said Etienne Marique, chairman of 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.”

“PokerStars is proud to be among the first fully licensed operators in Belgium,” said Guy Templer, PokerStars’ head of business development. “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 licenses in all newly regulated markets and we look forward to working with the Circus Groupe and Gaming Board.”

With a population estimated between 10 and 11 million, Belgium will likely be able to support a viable online poker industry.

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com