PokerStars, the largest online poker site in the world, might be making its New Jersey debut as soon as Oct. 1, according to unidentified sources who spoke to NJPokerOnline.
PokerStars was sold to Amaya Gaming Group this summer, a move which has helped the former’s chances to re-enter the U.S. market via the Garden State.
The sale resulted in PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg no longer being involved with the firm. Scheinberg remains a fugitive from U.S. authorities.
Under prior ownership, PokerStars fell into hot water with the federal government in 2011. The firm eventually settled for hundreds of millions of dollars without admitting any wrongdoing, but the firm was still unable to gain access to online poker players in New Jersey.
Through its settlement, PokerStars’ parent company acquired Full Tilt Poker.
The Canada-based Amaya also owns the Ongame Network, which it acquired from bwin.party in 2012. It also has partnered with the Golden Nugget for online gaming in Nevada and New Jersey. In addition, Amaya Gaming has a deal with Ultimate Gaming in New Jersey.
Other top gaming firms use content from Amaya.
PokerStars has an existing deal with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, which was contingent on PokerStars securing the necessary regulatory approval.
Last year, Amaya Gaming Group lost Paul Leggett, who served as an executive with the firm. He reportedly stepped down to expedite Amaya’s approval in New Jersey.
Leggett was once the chief operating officer of Tokwiro Enterprises, which owned both UB and Absolute Poker, two sites that were targets of a federal investigation. Both sites are now defunct and left former players empty-handed.
