Canadian gaming provider Amaya Gaming has commenced licensing talks with New Jersey casino regulators in an attempt to gain a state online gambling licence for PokerStars.
Amaya is set to acquire PokerStars as part of a deal to purchase the online poker website’s parent company, Rational Group.
As reported by iGaming Business, Amaya struck a deal last week to acquire Rational Group, as well as its PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker online poker businesses, for $4.9 billion (€3.6 billion).
Amaya is already active in New Jersey through a previously-agreed deal with land-based operator Caesars Interactive Entertainment, but PokerStars had its application for online gambling in the state suspended for two years by regulators.
David Rebuck, director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, told the Associated Press news agency that he is “encouraged” by the recent acquisition deal and the regulatory body has now entered into talks with Amaya in an attempt to reactivate PokerStars in the state.
“We’ve had discussions with Amaya to reactivate the application, and we plan to begin discussions with them tomorrow (Thursday),” Rebuck said. “We’ll look at whatever they bring over. I think in the long run it will be a good story for New Jersey.
“I’m optimistic that they know what the rules are, and I fully expect them to be very aggressive because they want to be here.”
The talks come at a time when the US state is suffering from a dip in online gaming revenues, with regulated operators in New Jersey having posted declines in revenue during the last two months.
Amaya’s company lawyer Marie Jones is optimistic about the chances of gaining a licence for PokerStars in the state.
Although any documents are yet to be filed, Jones said she expects a licence application to be submitted next week while Rebuck said approval could be given to PokerStars by the autumn.
PokerStars previously attempted to purchase the Atlantic Club Casino in New Jersey, but the deal fell through and the casino shut in January this year.
The online poker website then linked up with Resorts Casino Hotel, which itself has been unable to offer online gambling while PokerStars has been suspended in the state.
PokerStars was operational in the US until it was banned in 2006 and departed the national market in 2011, before paying a $547 million fine to the Department of Justice despite not admitting any wrongdoing.
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
