As it prepares for the start of the annual World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), which is set to begin on September 3rd, PokerStars is responding to what it called in a press release “inaccuracies” in media reports and quotes from competitors regarding player numbers.
Recently, PokerScout.com reported on the ongoing battle between PokerStars and its main U.S.-facing rival, Full Tilt Poker. As previously reported here on Poker News Daily, PokerStars has joined forces with the Fox television network to produce the “PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge.” Many have pointed out, however, that the PokerStars program set to premiere on October 11th is quite similar to the Full Tilt Poker sponsored “Face The Ace,” appears on NBC.
Both sites are seeing an increase in traffic from their promotions, with players battling for the right to be on network television. When it comes to share of the market, PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker have been able to grab 58% of the current online poker action worldwide, according to PokerScout. For the year to date, PokerScout states that Full Tilt Poker is up 96% versus the same time last year and PokerStars is up 55% during the same time frame. While these numbers look attractive, PokerStars has some complaints about reported numbers by online observers as well as their opponents.
In a memo released to the media today, a PokerStars spokesperson stated, “In recent weeks, various commentaries have provided inaccurate estimates about the market share of PokerStars United States customers. The figures state that the PokerStars U.S. market share is significantly higher than the actual amount and we wish to correct these estimates.”
The spokesperson continued, “While PokerStars continues to serve customers in the United States – based on the legal advice we have received – when it comes to our numbers in terms of both player liquidity and revenue, the U.S. market represents substantially less than 50% of our business.”
The reasons for the statements are unknown, but it could be suggested from the statement that other competitors or online monitors are suggesting that much of the success of PokerStars is based on its American players. A sudden departure of Americans from the market – through legislative actions such as further enforcement of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) or other legal measures – may cause tremendous problems for the privately owned company.
Regardless of the reason for the announcement, PokerStars is running full steam ahead in both its online and live poker arenas. The site is gearing up for the beginning of the 2009 WCOOP and is expecting another record-breaking performance in terms of players and guaranteed prize pools. This year’s event is scheduled for a 45 tournament run, including three High Roller events, and will conclude with the two-day No Limit Hold’em Main Event on September 20th, which has a guaranteed prize pool of $10 million.
