PKR withdraws from Italian market

Online poker operator becomes the first victim of the country's declining real-money market

08/10/2014

Poker operator PKR has withdrawn from Italy’s online market, becoming the first victim of the country’s declining poker sector.

In a message to players on its PKR.it site, the operator said it was with “regret” that it announced its immediate exit from the Italian market.

Players will no longer be able to make deposits or play at tables, but will be able to access their accounts to withdraw any remaining funds and balances.

PKR launched its Italian-facing site back in February 2012, but has failed to gain significant market share in the hugely competitive Italian market.

It will also have felt the impact of the general decline in Italian online cash and tournament poker revenues of late, with both versions of the game down by 25% year-on-year during H1 2014.

Once the bedrock of Italy’s online gaming market, poker is now second to casino in terms of GGR with the vertical’s 2013 contribution of 222m 35% lower than the previous year.

And while PokerStars has claimed more than 50% of the Italian market, eGaming Review understands plans to launch sister site Full Tilt in Italy have been put on ice.

Italian regulator AAMS recently told eGR that talks over a cross-border liquidity sharing network were continuing as it looked at ways in which to improve the fortunes of the poker market.