GGPoker is expanding its empire and cementing its position atop the online poker rankings by launching a new platform in Belgium.
The localized site will go live on July 31 thanks to regulatory approval from the Belgian Gaming Commission. In addition to creating new online opportunities for locals, GGPoker is seeking to help nurture the next generation of live poker talent in Belgium.
GGPoker makes the grade
GGPoker.be will operate under a B+ gaming license. This is an extension of Belgium’s Category B license and permits gaming companies to provide online services via dot.be platforms. As such, GGPoker will be able to offer a full range of products in Belgium. The localized site will be connected to GG’s global network, which means users will have access to international cash games and tournament player pools.
The immediate benefit of this dynamic is that Belgians can take part in the upcoming WSOP Online Series. The US leg of the 2021 series is currently running on WSOP.com. The international leg gets underway on Aug. 1 on GGPoker, giving Belgian players just one day to get acclimatized to the site before the first of 33 bracelet events begin.
GGPoker Belgium will also host WSOP satellites, which means it’s the first time local players will have an official route to the Main Event in Las Vegas.
Another arrow in GGPoker’s quiver
Going live in a new country doesn’t just benefit local players. By launching in Belgium, GGPoker will add another stream of traffic to its already busy network. GGPoker recently became the busiest online poker site in the world, dethroning PokerStars in June after hitting a seven-day average of 5,000 cash game players.
GGPoker is edging toward 100,000+ players across all games, and with Belgium boasting a population of 11 million, that figure should increase after July 31. However, it’s not the only benefit of obtaining regulatory approval in another European country.
In an effort to bolster its position in Belgium, GGPoker also has partnered with Concept Booth, a grassroots operator that organizes events for amateurs. The partnership coincides with the launch of GGPoker.be and will facilitate new products that bridge the gap between live and online poker.
“Our partnership with a local company run by experienced poker event organizers is a statement of how we like to make GGPoker relevant and successful in a new market: connecting with people and genuine communities who share our passion for poker” said Marco Trucco, GGPoker’s head of Europe.
