Online Poker Sites Receive Belgium Approval - 01-05-12

January 5 - The Belgian Gaming Commission has given the green light to three online poker sites to offer real-money poker games to gamblers over the internet, under new laws introduced in the EU country.

The three sites approved for operation are PokerStars.be, Partouche.be and Casino777.com. 

Belgium's new Gambling Act dictates that only approved sites may offer real-money online poker entertainment, and has ordered the country's largest internet service providers (ISPs) to block all other unauthorized gaming sites. 

Belgium's approval of online poker sites

When Belgium made public its plans to regulate its online gambling market, Poker Stars entered into a partnership with Circus Groupe, the European online casino operator. As such, Poker Stars met the conditions set by the Belgian Gaming Commission and was therefore granted approval this week.

According to the marketing manager for Poker Stars in the Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg region, Sander Siezen: "PokerStars.com and the Circus Groupe are logical partners. CasinoDeNamur.be has the largest live poker events offering in Belgium. Poker Stars is the world's largest poker site and the largest in Belgium, as well."

"In addition," he said, "PokerStars.com organizes the largest live poker series, the EPT. This is also in line with our global strategy to obtain online poker licensing wherever it is possible."

The Chief Executive Officer for Circus Groupe, Emmanuel Mewissen said when signing with Poker Stars: "Attracting the world's largest poker site was made possible by the remarkable work of the Belgian Gaming Commission and the Wallonia Ministry of Finance, who were able to establish taxation that is perfectly suited for this type of activity."

Online Poker Rooms Waiting for Tax Clarification

While the new laws came into effect on January 1st in Belgium, not everything has been clarified to casino operators and online gamblers from Belgium.

The new regulations, for example, have not clarified the issue of taxation on winnings, which leaves many players questioning just how much they will need to pay the government if they hit a windfall.

The Belgian government has been lobbying to change the laws in the country for two years, although the taxation issues have still not been resolved.