The online poker industry in the United States seems to be interested in just one thing as of late; when will PokerStars enter the online poker industry in New Jersey. It has been some time now that the Division of Gaming Enforcement has been reviewing the application of PokerStars again, after Amaya Gaming completed the acquisition of the company. According to numerous reports, the poker brand should be launched in the state by the fall, with the division conducting a comprehensive review of the company.
What specifically is under review is the purchase of PokerStars by Amaya Gaming, which occurred in 2014. The Director of the DGE, David Rebuck, stated in an article with iGaming Business that the DGE has done 80 interviews with sworn testimony as well as travel to several foreign countries to obtain information. Rebuck stated the group is doing their very best to be professional with their review and know that whatever decision is made in this case, the world will be watching.
So for now, we wait. Just like we have been waiting for months now. Will PokerStars really launch in the coming weeks or months? What we do know is that with the decision by the New Jersey Division of Gaming, it could be make or break for the online poker industry. While there are still those who do not want to see the brand in the United States, poker proponents know what PokerStars can do for the industry.
PokerStars is a well-known brand. With well-known brands comes interest. If the brand is allowed to operate in New Jersey, it is sure to spike the traffic numbers as well as revenues. One must also consider the ramifications of licensing in the state in regards to other states. PokerStars already has partnerships in California and has been working in Pennsylvania, two states that do not have legislation in place for legalized online poker play. If legislation is passed in 2016, PokerStars would be in a prime position having already launched their services in New Jersey, easily ready for additional states operations.
The in-depth analysis by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement will make it hard for additional states to deny PokerStars access to their online poker industry. The effect could essentially see PokerStars operating in every individual state that has legislation in place for regulation of online poker gaming.
It was in June of 2014 that Amaya Gaming purchased PokerStars and Full Tilt for a total cost of $4.9 billion. During the process, the CEO and founder of PokerStars, Mark Scheinberg, stepped down, which helped to ease the fears of officials in New Jersey. Executives of the company after UIGEA were not seen in the best light.
Next week is the end of the 3rd quarter of 2015 and officials at PokerStars say that this time frame is when the company will be licensed in the state. There has been speculation in the past as to when PokerStars would be approved and that time frame has come and gone. This leaves poker players and industry officials wondering if PokerStars will be launched this fall.
It seems time and time again something stops the process. After first applying under the Rational Group, PokerStars was denied. Once picked up by Amaya Gaming, the process began again. Earlier in the year, reports surfaced that PokerStars was on its way only to be shut down by reports that Governor Chris Christie was keeping the site from gaining approval. This is of course, only speculation, but we continue to see that several factors seem to get in the way of PokerStars gaining entry into the US. Only time will tell what will happen, but for now, we know that the brand is under review by the DGE for approval or denial of licensing.