The online gaming market has grown immensely over the last decade. What was once considered an activity enjoyed from home, on a desktop or laptop computer utilizing Flash-based or downloadable technology, has evolved into a new realm of mobile gambling and real-time live dealer accessibility. Live dealer blackjack games, in particular, are soaring in popularity, but they recently became a lot more difficult to access in Belgium.
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Last month, the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) announced its intentions to vastly increase its efforts towards the enforcement of a ban on live dealer games broadcast from any location outside of Belgium’s borders. Now, thanks to European Gaming Studios, live dealer blackjack fans in the region will once more be able to enjoy their favorite pastime; and in a legal sense, no less.
European Gaming Studios (EGS) is an amalgamation of several leading casino industrialists; Ezugi, a live casino technology provider based out of Tel-Aviv, Gaming Venture, an investment firm based out of Amsterdam, and the Golden Palace Group, a Belgian operator that runs numerous gaming halls in the country.
Just three days after the BGC said they would be stepping up the initiative against illegal live dealer games, EGS introduced a new live dealer casino studio and platform to the commission. The product received tentative approval in mid-January, and as of February 1st, EGS was given the go ahead to incorporate its live dealer blackjack and roulette games on internet gaming websites licensed and operated from within Belgium.
The founder of Golden Palace Group, Mario Menegalli, was especially pleased with the BGC’s decision to approve its Belgian live dealer casino studio. “As one of Belgium’s leading operators with over 50 year’s heritage, we are extremely well placed in conjunction with our proven industry partners Ezugi and Gaming Ventures to deliver a localized solution per the Belgium Gaming Commission’s guidelines from the 1st of February,” said Menegalli.
The new EGS gaming studio is located at Avenue des Croix de Guerre in Brussels, where the initial offering will include live dealer blackjack and live dealer roulette. For the time being, these are the only two games approved by the BGC for interactive distribution to Belgian customers.
However, the commission will be scheduling a meeting sometime this month to investigate all other live dealer games available from EGS. Any additional games the BGC finds suitable for local consumption will also be approved, which could significantly expand the available selection of live casino games from all Belgian operators who hold a class A+ or B+ licensed from the commission.
According to a joint statement from Kfir Kugler, Chief Executive Officer at Ezugi, and Willem van Oort of Gaming Ventures, the new endeavor should be as lucrative for local operators as it is entertaining for local fans of blackjack and roulette who prefer a more realistic, interactive experience.
“Live dealer games are a strong component of growth for operators in regulated EU markets which, when combined with localised content and proven technology for the initial launch games of blackjack and roulette, can further enhance the player’s gaming experience and operator’s revenue options.”