Despite the suspension of its online application by the DGE, the Rational Group is confident it will gain a foothold in the US soon.
Did anyone really expect PokerStars to back down after one measly suspension? In a recent blog post, Eric Hollreiser, PokerStars’ Head of Corporate Communication, wrote that the company is confident that it will make a significant splash in US markets by the end of 2014. This announcement comes mere weeks after New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement suspended the Rational Group’s online application, barring significantly changed circumstances
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It appears that PokerStars will be looking to set up shop elsewhere, but where? New Jersey is currently the only state with a population big enough to sustain a viable poker community. Perhaps, the mega-corporation is confident that states like Pennsylvania, Illinois or maybe even California will pass iGaming legislation in 2014. Securing a foothold in any of these states would mark a major victory for the company, which hasn’t offered its proprietary brand of online poker to US citizens since early-2011.
Or maybe PokerStars will resolve its issues with the DGE by the end of this year. After all, New Jersey’s regulatory committee only suspended PokerStars’ application – it wasn’t flat out rejected.
The rest of Hollreiser’s blog post recounts PokerStars’ failed partnership with the Atlantic Club Casino. Citing sadness over the Club’s upcoming closure, Hollreiser states that it simply didn’t have to happen
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The Atlantic Club was recently auctioned off to Caesars and the Tropicana for the sum of $23.4 million. Caesars, which purchased the hotel and gaming floor for $15 million, has no intentions of reopening the casino. Tropicana will be stripping it of its slot machines and tables.
Despite PokerStars’ alleged sadness over the matter, Hollreiser appears to take several jabs at the Atlantic Club. He states that the casino’s then-owners gambled with their employees’ future
. This statement is clearly in reference to the Atlantic Club’s decision to back out of their partnership with PokerStars.
Hollreiser goes onto condemn Caesars:
PokerStars does not share the vulture-like management practices that led to the coming job losses and disappointment of thousands of people in New Jersey with the closure of the Atlantic Club.
Bitter much?
Regardless, it’s hard to fathom PokerStars giving up on the US’s regulated iGaming market after its now two setbacks in New Jersey. Look to hear something regarding its involvement in the states, New Jersey or elsewhere, in the coming months.
