PokerStars France obtains first poker liquidity sharing licence
Operator must keep up with stringent technical requirements and inform regulator of cash-sharing movements
PokerStars is the first company to receive approval from the French regulatory body ARJEL to operate cross-border shared liquidity with Spain, Italy and Portugal.
The licence was issued to the operator of PokerStars France, Reel Malta Ltd, and is subject to the approval of the software used.
In a statement, ARJEL said operators must keep up with technical requirements and inform the regulator of any changes to cash-sharing procedures.
Regulators from the four European countries signed the poker liquidity sharing agreement back in July, and revealed plans to launch the compact across all four markets in December.
However, Italy has delayed its involvement as a result of growing political opposition to pooled poker.
In Q3 ARJEL reported an 11% boost in poker revenues to €58m, despite a continuous downward trajectory for the poker market over the last few years.
The pact is expected to boost poker revenues across the board, once the other countries fully implement it from their side.