The success of the recent protest at GGPoker prompted us to look back at the history of player strikes and displeasures. To our surprise, the online poker industry has witnessed many boycotts and protests in the past — mostly in response to rooms’ unpopular policies such as the increase in rake or changes to the rake model, reduction of rewards, the introduction of a new format or game type, software issues, and more.
Be it PokerStars, partypoker, or even the iPoker network — these rooms have all been hit by protests on multiple occasions, forcing operators to concede in one way or another. A couple of demonstrations were also carried out against the country’s regulations in Portugal and Spain for segregating their player pools from the rest of the world.
Many of these boycotts were staged in the early years of the 2010s. They worked for a while, with operators bowing down to the pressures of the players and undoing their policies. However, the second half of the 2010s saw online poker rooms led by PokerStars sticking to their decisions and nullifying the protests.
- Up to $75 in MTT tickets on top of the bonus
- Frequent MTT series with good guarantees
- Great action around the clock
As a result, the second half of the second decade of the 21st century saw fewer player outcries and boycotts as players realized they make little to no impact.
But the recent triumphant coordinated march by high-stakes players against GGPoker has brought back the topic of whether protests actually work in online poker.
Let us review the history and examine the timeline of online poker boycotts — what led to the protests, the outcome of the players’ efforts, and whether they impacted changing the course.
July 2010
Online Poker Players vs. Winamax & PokerStars.FR
What led to the protest: An increase in rake to as much as 7.7% after the French government imposed a 2% tax on rake after implementing the new regulatory system in the country.
Outcome: PokerStars removed the preflop rake after players demonstrated mass sit-outs across cash game tables but did not reduce the post-flop rake.
Success: Mixed
August – September 2011
Online Poker Players vs. partypoker
What led to the protest: Sit-out protest in response to rake changes.
Outcome: partypoker scrapped its plans to raise rake caps but did continue with its rake allocation changes.
Success: Yes
Read More: PartyPoker Backs Down Over Rake Changes
January 2012
Online Poker Players vs. PokerStars.FR & PokerStars.com
What led to the protest: Changes to the rake calculation model and VIP system.
Outcome: PokerStars locked accounts and reduced table limits for players sitting out and blocking action. Ultimately, the operator met with the organizers and agreed to a compromise.
Success: Yes
Read More: French Reps Reach Rewards Compromise with PokerStars After 2-Day IOM Meet
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- Top-quality software
- Compete for WSOP bracelets & rings
April 2013
Online Poker Players vs. iPoker.FR
What led to the protest: Software issues on Betclic/Everest skins
Outcome: Organized sit-outs, though it had only a minimal effect on the traffic. The operator carried out software upgrades, many of which were implemented based on the players’ requests.
Success: Yes
October – November 2013
Online Poker Players vs. partypoker
What led to the protest: Implementing a “skill segregation” policy to separate recreational players from professionals.
Outcome: Players postponed the organized sit-out protests after partypoker issued warnings to restrict their accounts if they sat out without playing games. Ultimately, the operator ended the policy following complaints and system abuse.
Success: Yes
Read More: PartyPoker Ends “Protected Table” Skill Segregation System
July 2014
Online Poker Players vs. PokerStars.ES
What led to the protest: Introduction of Spin & Go tournaments. Protestors perceived the format as unbeatable due to the game’s nature and high rake.
Outcome: The fight against PokerStars had zero impact as Spin & Go became a roaring success — so much so that the format increased the operator’s tournament revenues by 57%.
Success: No
Read More: Spanish Players Protest PokerStars’ “Spin & Go”
October – November 2014
Online Poker Players vs. PokerStars
What led to the protest: Sweeping changes to the rake across multiple formats and scrapping the popular Battle of Planets sit & go leaderboard.
Outcome: Multiple sit-out protests by multiple communities. However, a lack of organization disrupted only a few games. In fact, traffic rose after that. While initially, the operator did not back down and moved ahead with the changes, it rolled back the hike two months later except for the increases applying to Spin & Go’s.
Success: Partially
Read More: Three Strikes and You’re Out: Players Protest PokerStars Rake Changes
May 2015
Online Poker Players vs. Spain’s Regulated Online Poker Rooms
What led to the protest: Players objected to the country’s regulations, citing high taxes and the lack of international liquidity for the strike. However, the revolt was not directed at any online poker room in particular.
Outcome: The regulated online poker market in Spain still has high taxes and is not yet part of the international player pool, though it did join the Southern European compact comprising three countries — France, Portugal, and Spain.
Success: No
Read More: Strike by Spanish Players Has Media Impact But Little Effect
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- Great variety of gaming options
- Quality player rewards program
November 2015 – February 2016
Online Poker Players vs. PokerStars
What led to the protest: PokerStars announced changes to its VIP rewards program that meant a substantial reduction in benefits to high-volume players with Supernova and Supernova Elite VIP status levels and the elimination of VIP benefits in high-stakes games.
Outcome: The protests had minimal impact, as per the operator. In fact, the operator reported that it had a desirable effect on its overall ecosystem. However, a poker media outlet calculated lost tournament revenues for PokerStars to around $700,000. A meeting was arranged between the vocal leaders and company executives, but it did not result in any concessions being granted to players.
Success: No
Read More: PokerStars to Meet Today with Players Regarding Dispute Over VIP Changes
February 2019
Online Poker Players vs. PokerStars
What led to the protest: The operator decided to reduce tournament player reward points.
Outcome: Hundreds of players reportedly participated in the boycott organized by high-stakes players and vowed not to play the $5k buy-in Turbo Series event or its satellites. The goal was to create a substantial overlay. However, it had no impact as the tournament easily surpassed its $750k guaranteed.
Success: No
Read More: PokerStars’ Turbo Series Protest: Did the Boycott Work?
April 2023
Online Poker Players vs. GGPoker
What led to the protest: Doubling rake cap at high-stakes games without prior notice.
Outcome: Close to a hundred high-stakes players fought against the room for its move. Players avoided the VIP Games with stakes of $25/$50 and above. It did impact the traffic at high stakes, with only one or two tables running at max. The operator backed down and rolled the hike by 90%. It also reduced the rake cap when played short-handed — though it is still relatively high compared to its competition.
Success: Yes
Read More: Understanding the GGPoker Boycott — and Why This One Worked
