PokerStars launches first real-money mobile app in Italy
Launch follows free-to-play app released in November last year - Operator plans to roll out similar real-money apps in 2012 with UK and France followed by Denmark and Spain said to be next.
PokerStars has launched its first real-money iPhone and iPad poker application in Italy with an Android version likely to be released soon, eGaming Review can reveal.
Last November eGR exclusively revealed that Pokerstars had released its first ever mobile poker client on the Italian app Store, however it has now progressed from a play-for-fun product into the realms of a real-money mobile offering quicker than many predicted. Customer ratings on the Italian app Store rate the new app four and a half stars out of five.
The operator plans to roll out similar real-money apps in 2012 in regulated and newly regulated and regulating markets with the UK and France followed by Denmark and Spain said to be next.
eGR understands that an Android version of the app is likely to be released soon following the likes of bwin and Pokertube’s Speed Poker. Android apps differ from iPhone applications which have to go through the Apple approval process. PokerStars will be able to distribute its Android application directly from its own site with Android users able to switch on or off the ability to use the application anywhere in the world.
Global sales of Google Android phones have soared in the last year, however the launch of the iPhone 4S has driven significant growth for Apple in the US in particular. According to research firm NPD Group, sales of Android smartphones fell from 60% in the third quarter of last year to 47% during the October and November, while sales of the iPhone rose from 26% to 43%.
The Isle of Man operator is also currently in the process of hiring a mobile product manager after a recent reshuffle in its in-house mobile team in London.
PokerStars has so far only released two other apps, PokerStars Clock and PokerStars TV, both last year however its play for fun app was its first ever fully functioning cash and tournament mobile poker app.
According to H2 Gambling Capital’s mobile report, Italy’s smartphone penetration is the highest in Europe at 34% (as of the end of 2010), while its mobile penetration of 151% is also the highest on the continent.
The operator has apparently been working on a mobile poker client for the last two years, after it purchased mobile gaming software development business Cecure Gaming for an undisclosed amount after the company was placed in administration in November 2009.
Founded in 2000, Cecure Gaming previously operated its own gaming brand Aces Royal, as well as other mobile brands such as the World Poker Tour mobile, and Ladbrokes Poker Million mobile.
Only Italian players with a registered iTunes account, verified with a credit card and a valid Italian postal address as well as an Italian PokerStars account will be able to access the PokerStars Mobile Poker app.