Dear ***
PokerStars launches a Belgian client!
In October 2010, PokerStars announced its partnership with Circus Groupe, making it possible to offer online poker under the regulation of the Belgian Gaming Commission. As a result of this, PokerStars would like to announce the launch of its Belgian client.
What does this mean for you as an affiliate?
Marketing materials: You should continue to use the PokerStars.com marketing materials (i.e. banners/landing pages) during March 2011 as this is the Beta Testing period for the client.
We estimate that in April/May 2011, we will release Belgian specific marketing materials, with the intention of executing a large marketing push with the help of you our partners.
In the meantime however, any content directed explicitly towards Belgian players must not relate to specific PokerStars.com bonuses/promotions. This is because the Belgian client will offer its own selection of bonuses/promotions which is outlined below;
Promotions/Promoting Message:
There will be no first deposit bonus for players on .BE to legal restrictions. Therefore is important that content targeted specifically towards Belgian players does not advertise a first deposit bonus. Instead the message to advise to players is daily freerolls.
Commission:
Due to legal requirements, PokerStars will be required to pay tax on revenue (rake & tournament fees) generated under the Belgian License. As a result of this, all affiliates will receive standard revenue share for any newly registered Belgian licensed players, which will be as follows:
Net Revenue >= $0.00, Percentage: 20.00%
Net Revenue >= $10,000.00, Percentage: 25.00%
Net Revenue >= $30,000.00, Percentage: 30.00%
Existing Belgian players who are currently playing on the .COM client will be allowed to continue to play on the .COM client. These players will be migrated to .BE at a later date. Until this happens, you will continue to receive your regular commission for these existing players without any tax being incurred, as it is only newly registered Belgian players who sign up through the Belgian client who will be under Belgian tax regulation.
Players eligible to play on the Belgian client: Only if a player resides within Belgian will they be able to play on the Belgian client. Players on .BE will be able to play against .COM players for tournaments, however for cash games they will only be able to play against other .BE players.
Legal age restriction: Due to legal requirements, the legal age to be able to play on .BE will be 21, for this reason players under the age of 21 will not be migrated to the .BE.
Tracking: You can still refer players to PokerStars.com, as any Belgian players will automatically be re-directed to the .BE client. If however you are using a direct download link and are specifically targeting Belgian players, please switch your link to:
http://www.pokerstars.be/PokerStarsInstallBE.exe
We hope that you share our excitement in this new client launch, and would like to thank you for your support. If you have any further questions surrounding the Belgian client, please do not hesitate to contact us at
affiliates@pokerstarspartners.com.
Best Regards,
The PokerStarsPartners Team