PokerStars sets India launch date

PokerStars is set to launch its India-facing site on 17 April, according to an update on the new pokerstars.in website.

The brand will be launched in partnership with local lottery conglomerate Sachiko Gaming and be fully localised for the Indian market with denominations in Rupees.

PokerStars has also announced a freeroll on 22 April to celebrate the launch.

“In India, we have entered into an arrangement with a well-established domestic licensed lottery and gaming operator, which will give our brand access to this highly populated market and ability to build awareness for both our PokerStars brand and the game itself,” Stars Group CEO Rafi Ashkenazi said at the firm’s recent FY17 results.

Ashkenazi said the brand would go live initially on a “ring-fenced basis”, with no international liquidity.

The exec added: “I believe it will take a few years for the business to reach profitability and for us to receive noticeable license fees.”

Stars’ VP of communications Eric Hollreiser said last year India was an attractive market by virtue of its huge population and growing middle class.

“Recent figures show there is something in the order of 200 million smartphones and mobile is an increasingly important part of our business because that is how people are consuming entertainment and consuming products, and so much is happening on mobile devices. We think that is a great potential market for us.”

The market is also home to Microgaming’s growing Indian Poker Network as well as several domestic brands including Adda52.