Betclic plots Belgium launch following blacklist removal
Operator enters negotiations with land-based casino Circus Groupe after it agrees to pay 80,000 in customer fines
Betclic Everest Group (BEG) is preparing to launch in Belgium’s online gambling market after the Belgium Gaming Commission (BGC) yesterday removed the operator’s four brands from its blacklist, eGaming Review can reveal.
The removal comes after the operator yesterday met with the BGC in Brussels and agreed to pay approximately 80,000 in fines handed down to around 160 Belgium-based players judged to have been transacting with Betclic’s unlicensed sites.
The blacklist removal has enabled the operator to enter advanced-stage talks with land-based casino Circus Groupe, owner of casinos in Spa and Namur, with the intention of launching a new betclic.be site, subject to approval from the regulator.
Betclic Everest Group CEO Isabelle Andres told eGR this morning she was pleased with the regulator’s decision and was hopeful the new online sports betting and casino site would launch by the end of the year.
“I am very happy with the productive discussions we recently had with the Belgian regulator and I am looking forward to entering the Belgian market with our Betclic offer,” Andres said.
The BGC said Betclic Everest’s decision to pay the outstanding fines, which ranged from 200 to 11,000, and attempts to find a land-based partner, showed the operator held a “fundamental respect” for the Belgian Gaming Act.
“A new page has been turned in our stubborn fight to keep control of the Belgian online gambling market,” the regulator told eGR.
“Those knowingly operating on Belgian soil without a Belgian licence must be thrown out but those with an obvious willingness to respect Belgian legislation may obtain a licence.”
Only operators holding a land-based licence in Belgium are eligible for a dot.be licence, although online operators can enter into a partnership with land-based firms in order to obtain an online permit.