WMS Subsidiary Receives Belgian Online Casino License

According to the latest online gambling news in Belgium, WMS can finally start providing its services to the local players after the country’s authorities have granted its subsidiary, Jackpot Party an online gambling license this week.

The development is the culmination of the partnership between WMS and the Partouche group that began in April 2012, aimed at opening new opportunities in the Belgian internet casino.

It is through that partnership that Jackpot Party is now able to provide gambling services via an online platform and games suite to the visitors of Casino Van Knokke. As the actual holder of the A+ license, Van Knokke is one of Partouche’s four land casinos.

Being awarded the license by the Belgium Gaming Commission allows the WMS group to target local players starting from the summer of 2013, without running afoul of Belgian gambling laws and risking being blacklisted as an illegal operator. The country’s new and controversial Gaming Act came into effect on January 1, 2011, requiring online providers to hold a local license for land-based gambling.

According to the announcement made at the start of the partnership, the online selection to be provided by WMS in Belgium will feature themes like The Wizard of Oz and I Love Lucy, as well as long time favorites, such as Reel ‘Em In, Life of Luxury Progressive, Goldfish, Zeus-themed slots and Super Jackpot Party. The Jackpot Party Progressive accumulating online jackpot will also be open for the local patrons.

Orrin Edidin, President of WMS and CEO of Williams Interactive (the parent company of Jackpot Party) expressed his satisfaction over the news. “We look forward to working collaboratively to create cross-marketing opportunities that will complement Partouche’s land-based casino operations by providing players with the convenience of playing at home in addition to playing at the casino” – stated Edidin.