Playtech confirms Belgium exit

Playtech has confirmed discussions held with the Belgium Gaming Commission led to its decision to pull the plug on its unlicensed Belgium-facing licensees.

Earlier this week, operators such as Gala Interactive and William Hill notified affiliates that it would no longer be taking business from customers within the Belgian borders for “regulatory reasons”.

And Playtech has told eGaming Review that the withdrawals were prompted by an “agreement” reached between the software supplier and the local regulator to no longer support unlicensed Belgium-facing activities.

“As part of Playtech’s commitment to the regulated Belgian market, we have reached an agreement with the Belgium Gaming Commission that Playtech will cease supporting non-licenced Belgian sites, including dot.com sites, in 2014,” a Playtech spokesperson said.

“Playtech has ceased supporting non-licensed Belgian facing sites and our licensees have been requested to implement a block on activity from all Belgium players unless they hold a Belgian operating licence.

“We are very happy to continue supporting licensees who choose to become licensed in the Belgium market place,” the spokesperson added.

Playtech continues to have a presence in the country with major licensee Ladbrokes having launched its dot.be site earlier this week.

The move to call time on unlicensed Belgium-facing sites comes amid a company focus on regulated markets with CEO Mor Weizer this week revealing the supplier was eyeing up around 25 regulated or soon-to-be regulated countries.

In addition, earlier this year Playtech revealed it was working alongside the Italian regulator in a bid to encourage some of its unlicensed Italy-facing licensees to apply for a local permit.

Last month, Betclic Everest confirmed it had withdrawn its brands from the Belgium market after it was threatened with criminal prosecution for accepting bets from Belgian residents without the necessary licence.