PokerStars plots broad European sportsbook launch
Parent company Rational Group hiring sportsbook CRM managers in markets such as the UK and Nordics ahead of planned Q1 launch
PokerStars’ sportsbook looks set for a broad European launch in the coming months with the Nordics and Eastern Europe believed to be target regions, according to job adverts placed by parent company Rational Group.
Earlier this month Amaya Gaming, which acquired the Rational Group for US$4.9bn last year, confirmed plans to launch the PokerStars sportsbook “in certain markets” by the end of March with a wider roll-out and the launch of web and mobile versions expected later in the year.
In November, PokerStars revealed it had begun building its in-house sportsbook trading team, which is being led by former bet365 VIP trading manager Ian Marmion.
The operator continues to build its in-house sportsbook team ahead of a planned Q1 launch and is currently on the lookout for CRM specialists to cover a number of European regions as well as Spain, Italy and the UK and Ireland.
PokerStars’ move into sportsbook is part of a wider expansion into additional gaming verticals, with the firm completing its global roll-out of online casino in December.
The poker operator said it will also launch web and mobile versions of its casino in 2015, supported by an “aggressive consumer marketing campaign”.
Early results from the test launch of casino in the regulated Spanish market showed 30% cross sell to its poker database and the firm achieve a double digit market share in the country.
A PokerStars spokesman declined to comment on the story.