UK-Based PKR announced on Thursday the launch of PKR.it, a poker room for the Italian market that will operate a segregated player pool.
PKR currently operates an international site under license from both Alderney and the UK Gambling Commission, and also a French PKR.fr site under license from ARJEL. The new license issued by the AAMS, the Italian gaming commission, permits PKR to offer games to the Italian market, although liquidity cannot be shared with the other player pools.
Italy first regulated online poker in 2009, only permitting tournament play. Cash games came in July 2011, and has been a runaway success. The Italian market now accounts for 10% of the global cash game industry.
Things may be a little quieter on PKR.it. The poker room does not compete with some of the bigger names, ranking down in 24th position on PokerScout’s ranking of online poker networks by cash game players, and PKR.fr ranks below all other major French networks.
However, PKR has carved out its own niche for its “3D” software and unique player experience, and has built a small but consistent player base. It recently ranked 4th on the Technology Fast50, an annual list of the fastest-growing tech companies in the UK, and grabbed headlines with the signing of Brit star Jake Cody.
