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pokerstars blockedThis October PokerStars blocked more than 30 countries and regions from playing real money poker games on the software, since Amaya Gaming has taken over the worlds largest poker site.

The list of PokerStars blocked countries include:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Cuba, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestinian, Qatar, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, UAE, Vatican, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker brands will now focus on players from countries that have regulated poker markets with no prohibition on online gambling.

PokerStars Blocked in 30 Countries

pokerstars futureWhat is PokerStars future under new ownership going to be like? Since The Rational Group has been acquired by Amaya Gaming, what is the future going to be like for companies PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker?

The best part about Amaya Gaming is the amount of gaming licenses they have worldwide with more than 100 licenses including: UK and New Jersey.

Under new ownership PokerStars future in US is looking bright and will launch in New Jersey within the next few weeks.

Full Tilt Poker has dropped significantly in poker rankings since Amaya have started to focus on online casino games and new FullTilt live dealer casino.

Many PokerStars pros have been dropped from the roster the latest incident was with WSOP champ Joe Cada who terminated his contract because the site would no longer offer him a 100% rakeback deal.

This week thousands of PokerStars Affiliates were dropped due not bringing enough players or not actively promoting the site.

PokerStars Future Under New Ownership

amaya gaming buying pokerstarsAmaya Gaming Buying PokerStars – The rumor that PokerStars Merger with Amaya Gaming to enter the US market has just turned out to be the biggest takeover of the Worlds Largest Poker site.

Amaya Gaming have agreed to purchase Rational Group which includes Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars for $4.9 billion.

This would mean the company would no longer have any ties with Isai Scheinberg. Scheinberg was the stumbling block that has been preventing PokerStars from entering the US regulated poker market.

Amaya Gaming have already been approved for a license to offer legal online poker in New Jersey, the company currently supplies gambling machines and accessories in Canada.

Amaya Gaming buying PokerStars will be the largest deal in the history of online gambling and offers positive outlook for the future of online poker worldwide. US poker players will no doubt rejoice at the news of PokerStars returning to the USA with new owners and a clean slate.

Amaya Gaming buy PokerStars for $4.9 billion

full tilt poker claimsFull Tilt Poker funds will soon be returned to their rightful owners after almost three years since Black Friday.

More than 30,000 USA players are expected to have their funds returned according to a tweet by John Pappas of the Poker Players Alliance.

All players with undisputed claims amounting to over $82 million will be reimbursed over the next few weeks.

The Department of Justice have approved the Garden City Group audit of players funds, however some players may need to resubmit their claims with the correct details as some claims were not correct or not completed.

All players will be contacted shortly by the GCG with the status of their payout and how to get their Full Tilt Poker funds returned.

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poker newsA quick recap on the biggest poker news stories and highlights of 2013 which includes:

  • Regulated online poker in three USA states
  • Best poker operator of the Year
  • WSOP & WSOPE
  • Player of the Year
  • Poker Hall of Fame 2013.

Certainly an interesting year for poker with a brighter outlook for 2014 especially for online poker in the USA.

Donkey of the Year award goes to Sheldon Adelson for his hypocritical anti-gambling campaign, the award is passed on from Howard Lederer who held the position for two consecutive years.

Player of the Year was none other than PokerStars legend Daniel Negreanu.

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