GGPoker Re-Enters Belgium Poker Market With Even Bigger Goals

GGPoker is now live in Belgium after recently being granted a license to offer online poker to local players.

The site’s return to the country will further establish its global footprint, but apart from that, it will also open doors to new opportunities for both the operator and the Belgian online poker market.

GGPoker previously catered to Belgian customers from an offshore license, but eventually decided to pull out from the country and from several other European markets in late 2019 citing regulatory reasons.

Now, GGPoker is finally back, in partnership with local casino Deba Square.

Belgium makes for an ideal target for GGPoker as the market has been underserved for quite a while now. Before GGPoker’s launch on July 31, there were just two active online poker rooms in the country, namely, PokerStars and Unibet.

GGPoker’s Paul Burke said they’re looking forward to bigger things other than just securing a local license in Belgium. He said they’re keen on integrating the platform into the local gaming community, and engage with players at the grassroots level. This, according to Burke, will strengthen their presence in the European market.

Creating Opportunities for Amateur Players

Part of the operator’s bigger plan is to establish strong relationships with live venues across Belgium, and provide opportunities for amateur players. With a population of 11.4 million, Belgium is relatively smaller compared to other European markets, but the country’s poker scene is booming, with 12 live poker rooms operating across the country.

Local amateur players actively participate in various events, including those organized by the Amateur Poker Association & Tour (APAT), the largest organization for amateur players in Europe.

GGPoker aims to penetrate Belgium’s grassroots community to attract more recreational players into the site, and while running a live tour is one way to achieve that goal, Burke said they’re not yet considering moving in that direction. Both PokerStars and Unibet have been hosting live events in Belgium targeting amateur players, and the strategy has been effective so far.

Live tours are out of GGPoker’s plans right now, but the site is expected to generate interest among local players, especially with its partnership with the World Series of Poker (WSOP). The operator is currently playing host to the international leg of the WSOP Online Bracelet Series, and now Belgian players can finally participate in the festival and take a shot at the highly coveted gold bracelet for as low as $50.