PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker site, has been granted an activity license in Estonia. The Isle of Man-based company is among the first license holders in the country’s newly regulated gambling market, just months after the Estonian Tax and Customs Board blocked access to foreign online poker sites. PokerStars will next shift its focus toward obtaining an operational license in Estonia.
“Applying for a license is always a complicated process and I am therefore very happy that PokerStars has successfully met all the necessary criteria to obtain an activity license in Estonia,” said Tomas Larsson, PokerStars’ Baltics country manager.
Poker has been thriving in Estonia and the small country remains a prime target market for the world’s largest poker room. The PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) recently stopped at Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, as the eighth season of the popular series got underway last week. The €4,250 buy-in Main Event attracted 420 players from 40 countries and was won by Norway’s Kevin “kevboystar” Stani, who took home €400,000.
“In addition to Estonia having excellent players and tournament organizers, Tallinn is also a new and truly attractive destination for many top players,” Larsson said. PokerStars Team Pros such as Luca Pagano, Arnaud Mattern, Ivan Demidov, Ville Walhlbeck, and Katja Thater participated in the Tallinn’s Main Event.
PokerStars has made also significant investments in Estonia during the last few years, contributing to the development of the local sports and cultural life. PokerStars is the main sponsor of the Estonian national volleyball team that last year battled its way to the final tournament of the European Championship.
PokerStars was approved for an operational license in France earlier this year after the country proposed new laws to regulate and tax internet gambling. PokerStars.fr launched in June, offering French citizens the chance to participate in games operated by the world’s leading poker site. According to PokerScout.com, which monitors real money cash games, PokerStars.fr ranks ninth in the world in online traffic, one spot ahead of EverestPoker.fr, the second largest site in France.
The new Estonian gambling law came into effect on January 1st. The first operating license granted was to the Olympic Entertainment Group, which uses Playtech’s software for its online casinos. AS Pafer, which organizes gambling on board ships, became the second company to receive the long-distance gambling operator license. PokerStars remains blocked to Estonians until it is granted an operating license, but hopes to obtain one in the near future.
PokerStars has more than 36 million registered players from all over the world and is gearing up for its annual World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) in September. The 2010 WCOOP will run 62 events, including three High Roller tournaments, and will conclude with the No Limit Hold’em Main Event with a guaranteed prize pool of $10,000,000. The series kicks off with a Six-Handed No Limit Hold’em event on September 5th.
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