- Amaya Acquisition: PokerStars “Still Plans to Serve All Current Markets”.
- PokerStars to “Substantially Review” VIP Program for 2015.
- PokerStars in the United States: The How, Where and When.
We wrap up the week with a rundown of the most read news articles and features from the past seven days on pokerfuse. Never miss a story with our special feature every Saturday.
10. PokerStars Receives License to Offer Blackjack and Roulette in Spain
Casino games at PokerStars could trial in Spain. Article updated to include comments from a PokerStars representative.
9. Amaya: Rational Platform to Include Online Sports Betting
Amaya CEO Baazov has high hopes for Stars’ exploration into other online gaming verticals. During a 30-minute conference call held Friday following the announcement that Amaya was acquiring PokerStars and Full Tilt, Amaya Gaming CEO David Baazov described Rational’s target growth initiative which includes online casino gambling, social gaming and sports betting.
8. PokerStars Licensing Talks Resume in New Jersey
DGE to discuss with Amaya the reactivation of PokerStars’ online gaming application—their best shot at a fast return of the PokerStars online poker brand to the US market. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is set to meet with Canadian firm Amaya Gaming Thursday to discuss re-opening PokerStars’ application to be a regulated igaming provider in the state.
7. MPN Warns Players that Double Up SNGs “Require Very Advanced Strategy”
Seeing double: The DoN format might look easy, but the best strategy is far from it, the network warns. Microgaming’s poker network MPN has issued a statement on its website warning new poker players that double-up Sit & Gos require players to adopt an unintuitive strategy, and recommends players new to the game try regular payout tournaments instead.
6. US Online Poker’s Most Aggressive Promo Yet: Rake Free Cash Games for Six Weeks on Ultimate Poker NJ
Ultimate Poker launches aggressive promo seeking to build its NJ traffic. Ultimate Poker New Jersey has launched an aggressive new promotion, “Cash Game Crazy,” which gives away 100% rakeback from now through July 31 on all cash games.
5. PokerStars Speaks Following Sale to Amaya Gaming
Company provides statements to community, regulators and employees on its future. PokerStars and Rational Group representatives have been busy issuing statements to poker community members, employees and Isle of Man regulators following its sale to Amaya Gaming.
4. Harvard Law Professor Believes California “Bad Actor” Clauses Violate US Constitution
Proposed legislation “would not survive federal constitutional attack,” opines Harvard Prof. Tribe. According to Harvard University Constitutional Law Professor Laurence H. Tribe, the “Bad Actor” clauses contained within two pieces of proposed California legislation to legalize online poker would be unlikely to withstand a Constitutional challenge.
3. PokerStars in the United States: The How, Where and When
Amaya thinks the Rational Group acquisition will “expedite entry” for the PokerStars and Full Tilt Brands into the US. But how likely is it, and how long will it take? Amaya Gaming has made no secret as to what it expects from the $5 billion acquisition of the parent company of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker.
2. PokerStars to “Substantially Review” VIP Program for 2015
“No plans yet” as to possible changes. PokerStars will perform a “substantial review” of its VIP program ahead of possible changes in 2015.
1. Amaya Acquisition: PokerStars “Still Plans to Serve All Current Markets”
Player concerns continue despite Director of Poker Room Operations stating that PokerStars will not exit Canada. PokerStars has sought to assure players that the online poker room will continue to serve all existing markets, despite its acquisition by publicly traded Amaya.
