Philippe Close denies any conflict in the casino case

9 Sep 2026

Following the suspension of the licence awarded to ECK, the parent company of Napoleon Games, Philippe Close has rejected allegations of a conflict of interest whilst considering stepping aside from future decisions concerning this contract.

Sensation

Trustpilot directs Belgian players to illegal casinos: experts warn

Ron Emmerink

8 Sep 2026

Anyone in Belgium searching for an online casino via Google may end up on a Trustpilot page. There, the player sees a recognisable brand, thousands of reviews, a TrustScore and a prominent button to visit the website. It all looks familiar. But behind that professional presentation may lie a casino that does not hold a Belgian licence at all.

Sensation

Why does an online casino need to verify your identity? KYC in Belgium explained

Glen L.

8 Sep 2026

In Belgium, identity verification is now one of the essential steps for accessing online gambling. Since 1 May 2025, players must have their identity verified before they can deposit money or start playing.

Games

Casinos: European giants are banking on France

Caroline B.

8 Sep 2026

Since the start of 2025, three French casino groups have changed hands, whilst players already active in the digital gaming sector in Europe are strengthening their presence in France.

Economy

Will betFIRST soon be replaced by Betsson?

Sarah C.

7 Sep 2026

Betsson, which has owned betFIRST since 2023, may be preparing the next stage of its expansion in Belgium. Several clues now suggest a gradual transition from betFIRST to the Betsson brand, although no official launch has yet been announced.

Sensation

Peppermill Maastricht announces its grand opening night

Julien D.

7 Sep 2026

Peppermill Casino Maastricht Airport will officially open its doors during an opening night event on Sunday 4 October from 8 pm. The event will feature the immediate opening of the gaming area, a reception with premium drinks and canapés, and a special appearance by Gerard Joling.

Sensation

Kevin Hart joins Pragmatic Play

Glen L.

6 Sep 2026

Pragmatic Play is counting on Kevin Hart to make a splash on 6 and 7 November 2026. The American actor and comedian will, for a one-off event, take the reins at several live casino tables during four special sessions.

Sensation

ChatGPT says no to gambling adverts

Alex D.

6 Sep 2026

For the time being, companies in the gambling sector cannot run adverts on ChatGPT. OpenAI’s advertising rules classify conversations relating to gambling as contexts in which no adverts should appear.

Sensation

EuroMillions: 2 Belgians win nearly €200,000

Sarah C.

5 Sep 2026

Two Belgian players won substantial prizes in the EuroMillions in two consecutive draws, on 28 August and 1 September 2026. Although they did not win the jackpot, they each matched all five numbers and one star.

Sensation

Skyhills disappears following legal action

Alex D.

5 Sep 2026

The Dutch National Lottery has taken legal action against the operators and directors of Skyhills, an illegal gambling website in the Netherlands. Since this initial action, the platform is no longer accessible to Dutch players.

Sensation

Brussels Casino: millions under threat

Caroline B.

4 Sep 2026

The suspension of the award of the Brussels Casino licence marks the start of a period of uncertainty for the City and the Region. Behind the legal dispute lie significant financial stakes.

Sensation

Illegal casinos: thousands of websites hijacked

Alex D.

4 Sep 2026

Websites with no connection to gambling are being used to lure Dutch players to illegal online casinos. According to a BNR investigation reported on 3 September 2026 by CasinoNieuws.nl, at least 1,000 domains and websites are believed to be affected. The actual number, however, could exceed 8,000.

Sensation

Stake: Massimo Menegalli highlights a paradox

Alex D.

3 Sep 2026

The success of offshore gambling platforms raises a fundamental question: do the rules imposed on regulated operators still effectively protect players when their competitors are not subject to these same constraints? Massimo Menegalli, of Golden Palace Casino & Sports, cites Stake as a symbol of this imbalance and calls for a review of the current approach.

Sensation

PMU-BetMakers: a game-changing agreement

Caroline B.

3 Sep 2026

PMU has taken a new step forward in its international expansion. The French operator has entered into a multi-year partnership with BetMakers Technology Group to boost the distribution of French races through fixed-odds horse racing betting.

Sensation

Circus Poker teams up with Croc Poker

Alex D.

3 Sep 2026

Circus Poker France is continuing to expand its poker offering by announcing a partnership with Croc Poker. The free app, which claims to have over 8,000 players and a presence in 80 bars, is set to offer free weekly tournaments at Circus casinos across France.

Sensation

Brussels Casino: Napoleon Games suspended

Alex D.

2 Sep 2026

The Council of State has suspended the award of the Brussels Casino concession to ECK, the company that operates the Napoleon Games brand.

Sensation

Merkur acquires 7 casinos in France

Alex D.

2 Sep 2026

The German group Merkur is preparing to enter the French casino market by acquiring Casigrangi, the parent company of the Société Française de Casinos. The deal is set to enable it to take control of seven establishments located across several French regions.

Economy