29 Markets Affected in Rational Group Market Withdrawal
Key Takeaways
  • It is now understood to have affected as many as 29 countries, with a focus on smaller Asian markets.

PokerStars and Full Tilt informed customers Monday of an immediate withdrawal from certain key markets. It is now understood to have affected as many as 29 countries, with a focus on smaller Asian markets.

Pokerfuse first revealed yesterday that some customers, including Turkey and Malaysia, had been locked out of real money gambling on both the PokerStars and Full Tilt client.

While currently unconfirmed by Rational Group, responses to some customer inquiries indicate that Rational Group have withdrawn from a total of 29 predominantly Asian and Islamic countries.

“The restriction applies to the following countries: Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Senegal, Nigeria, Tanzania, United Republic of Bahrain, Afghanistan, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Holy See (Vatican City),” reads a customer support statement seen by pokerfuse.

It adds that the following countries are also now blocked, including play money games: “Iran, Iraq, Syria, Zimbabwe, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, Cuba, Myanmar, Yemen.”

Yesterday, pokerfuse was informed that the withdrawal came following a review that assessed “commercial opportunities and business risks for our brands.”