Circus Groupe, PokerStars reach online partnership

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Circus Groupe and PokerStars, the world's largest poker site, have announced a partnership which makes it possible for both companies to offer online poker under the regulation of the Belgian Gaming Commission.

This partnership complies fully with Belgian law and allows the country's residents to participate on the world's largest poker site, overseen by the Belgian Gaming Commission. Participants can also qualify for the biggest live events across the world, such as the PokerStars European Poker Tour.

Circus Groupe includes Namur Casino, and joining forces with them allows PokerStars to work with a licensed partner in Belgium that has a wealth of experience in land-based poker. In return, the Namur Casino will be able to offer the most successful online poker platform to the Belgian market.

Sander Siezen, Marketing Manager for PokerStars Benelux, said: "PokerStars and the Circus Groupe are logical partners. Namur Casino has the largest live poker events offering in Belgium. PokerStars.com is the world's largest poker site and the largest in Belgium as well. In addition, PokerStars organises the largest live poker series, the European Poker Tour (EPT). This is also in line with our global strategy to obtain online poker licensing wherever it is available."

"This unique partnership with the number one player in the online poker market definitively puts Namur Casino on the European map," according to Rafa Diego, General Manager of Namur Casino.

"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 which is perfectly suited for this type of activity," added Emmanuel Mewissen, CEO of Circus Groupe.

PokerStars operates worldwide under license from the Isle of Man Government. PokerStars' operational license applications have previously been approved by Italy, France and Estonia.