The stance greatly applies to the circumstances surrounding PokerStars’ founder, Isai Scheinberg. He was indicted on Black Friday 2011 and the report states that Scheinberg’s legal woes should finally be resolved in 2014. This would remove any legal impediments for PokerStars, which has been the chief delay to their return in the United States.
New Jersey is will be the first landing spot for PokerStars, who currently has Borgata (PartyPoker) and Caesars (WSOP) operating within the state’s borders. PartyPoker has been marketing heavily to put a stranglehold on the market as of late, recently inking a deal to sponsor two professional sports teams in the United States. A return to PokerStars would increase competition, which should end up being a boon for players in the Garden State.
PokerStars has already shelled out sizable amounts to the US Department of Justice years ago when Black Friday civil charges were resolved. Part of that deal was PokerStars’ willingness to make Full Tilt Poker’s debts to players a thing of the past, if Stars wished to purchase FTP. Stars is also trying to heavily invest in New Jersey, having blown millions trying to open up their own casino, and currently paying the Resorts Atlantic City to guarantee an open spot to do business once their legal issues are behind them.
While PokerStars has released millions of dollars to players, for the Full Tilt Purchase, for the New Jersey foothold, and for resolving their legal matters, it only seems like a bump in the road in terms of the long term future of the company. They have dominated the market wherever they operated and continue to hold a brand value that is tops in the industry. While many have predicted that PokerStars will indeed return in the next few years to the United States, this report and the purported shift in the DOJ’s legal stance should be good news for players.
