New Deal Makes Belgian Players Eligible for World Series of Poker 2021
Published August 7, 2021 by Lee R
The Belgium market will get a diverse boost from GGPoker's new online poker deal.
GGPoker has announced its entry into the Belgian market via a regulated ggpoker.be site set to launch July 31.
The Deal
The new licensed site enables registered players to play on the GGPoker Network.
The Dealmakers
Belgian Gaming Commission DebaSquare will operate the GGPoker.be site, with GGPoker's partnering on the project with Belgian poker company Concept Booth, operator of both poker clubs and GGP marketing events in Belgium.
WSOP Opportunity
Participation gives Belgian players the opportunity to win a World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet in the upcoming WSOP Online Series 2021, and enter the Las Vegas-based WSOP Main Event —a first-time opportunity for Belgian players.
It will also allow them to qualify for the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas from their home country.
GGPoker Rep Speaks
GGPoker Head of Europe Marco Trucco expressed his happiness at bringing “our poker product and innovation to the underserved Belgian market. Our partnership with a local company run by experienced poker event organizers...connecting with people and genuine communities who share our passion for poker.”
Concept Booth Rep Speaks
Concept Booth BV Founder Kristof De Deken expressed delight at partnering “with GGPoker in Belgium. Our company has been active in live and online poker for many years. The Belgian market is more than ready to welcome a new and attractive online poker provider.
Organisational Goal
De Deken looked forward to the deal strengthening the Belgian market and making it more appealing for Belgian players, identifying the highlights of the new site's brand as "safe and controlled player environment, a premium user experience and local integration.”
Belgium Market Grows
This deal fits in with Belgian market growth, as the regulator revealed that total active licensees in the country for 2020 was 15,997, up from 15,607 in 2019.
Gross gaming revenue for casino games for full year 2020 were up 16.1% year-on-year to €326.5m, with iGaming leading the contributions at €205.1m compared to a €121.4m contribution from Belgium's land-based operators.
Outlook
The inclusion of the new ggpoker.be site clearly bolsters the Belgium market expansion, with the access to the global WSOP network directly paving the way for shared liquidity pools, representing a whole other avenue of expansion and engagement for Belgium's players.
