Online Poker To Be Limited In Belgium?

Online poker players in Belgium could be limited to playing opponents from their own country.

Online poker may be restricted in Belgium by blocking all overseas poker sites, it has been reported.

The move - planned by the Belgian government - would effectively nationalise the online poker industry within the country meaning that only licensed websites based within the country would be able to be accessed.

Belgian poker players may be disappointed by the proposals as it would prevent them from playing against other players from around the world.

Online discussion forums have already spoken out against the move which goes against EU regulations.

One poster, Sjors, said: "I'm fine with regulating but don't cut off the world. Playing against people on the other side of the globe and having traffic around the clock is what makes online poker great."

Reports suggest that the Belgium plans will be implemented in late 2010 or early 2011, so online poker players in the country may have little time to oppose the measures.