European poker liquidity pact to be signed in June
French regulator predicts operators will be able to apply for the system from September
A deal to share poker liquidity across four European markets is expected to be signed in June, according to the French gambling regulator ARJEL.
ARJEL predicted an agreement would be signed next month, and by September operators would be able to apply for their software to be reviewed to ensure they are in line with the technical standards required for liquidity sharing.
The multilateral pact would also include the closed markets of Portugal, Italy and Spain.
“By boosting liquidity, this much-anticipated measure should increase the attractiveness of the licenced poker market while battling the black market,” Arjel said in its annual report this week.
“The president of Arjel is aware of the importance and the urgency of the opportunity and will make every effort to ensure that it is implemented as soon as possible.”
France last year passed the Digital Republic Act which established the legality of poker liquidity sharing, as long as partners are in the European Economic Area and have similar technical standards to France.
European regulators have been discussing the idea as far back as 2012, with operators also welcoming the plans as a way to boost a stagnating vertical.
Amaya’s vice-president of communications Eric Hollreiser told EGR Intel recently: “Amaya is supportive of legislation that protects both the consumer and the vitality of the online gaming industry.
“Pooling of online poker liquidity is a positive step forward that all regulated operators should welcome.”
Great Britain’s Gambling Commission has also been part of the discussions but was not named by Arjel as being part of the shared pool.
The Commission, which has a policy of open liquidity sharing, declined to comment on whether it would be part of the pact.