PokerStars Punches Back

This article from News.com says it all:

PokerStars, the world's second-biggest Internet poker firm, said on Thursday that a looming U.S. ban on online gaming would not apply to poker, as it is a game of skill, and its business would continue as usual.

...

The bill defines gambling as the act of staking something of value on "a sporting event or a game subject to chance" and is expected to be signed into law by President George W. Bush on Friday.

"These provisions do not alter the U.S. legal situation with respect to online poker," privately-owned PokerStars said in a statement.

"Our business continues as before, open to players worldwide including the U.S.," it added. "You may play on our site as you did prior to the act."

The stance contrasts with that taken by rival PartyGaming the owner of the biggest online poker site PartyPoker, which last week said the act made it "practically impossible" to provide poker for money to U.S. players.

PokerStars said: "It is important to emphasize that the act does not in any way prohibit you from playing online poker. PokerStars believes that poker is a game of skill."

Its a bold move, and we KNOW it will end in one giant messy litigation. But in the meantime, will any financial firms do business with the site? And until that litigation materializes, will PokerStars use the time to become an even bigger powerhouse than it already is?

So... much...to watch...

October 12, 2006

PokerStars Punches Back