Pokerstars and Full Tilt owner Amaya Gaming Group has announced that the two famous gaming brands have obtained a continuation license to allow uninterrupted service to consumer and business customers in the United Kingdom.
The continuation license for PokerStars and Full Tilt was awarded by the UK Gambling Commission in recognition of the existing licenses held in the Isle of Man.
Amaya’s B2B online business has also received the necessary continuation licenses to continue supplying UK-facing online gaming operators with online gaming content and technology.
The new PokerStars and Full Tilt UK software will be available to British players from 14:00 GMT on November 3. This will be downloaded and activated automatically after that time – players simply need to load the software and login as normal.
The log-in details, account balance and history of UK players will not be affected by the change, and UK players will continue to enjoy the same range of games as players from around the world.
Amaya has emphasised the protection of player funds in its announcement, noting that the UK Gambling Commission has introduced a rating system for player fund protection.
PokerStars and Full Tilt have volunteered to apply the highest standards of player fund protection, with the use of independent trust accounts that PokerStars and Full Tilt have pioneered on the Isle of Man.
With the UK continuation licence, PokerStars and Full Tilt add another jurisdiction to a portfolio of 12 locally licensed jurisdictions, which already includes major European nations including France, Italy and Spain .
With effect November 3, 2014, Pokerstars players located in the United Kingdom will be required to move their accounts to the PokerStars.co.uk domain in order to comply with the new Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act.
Pokerstars representatives have confirmed that the rake and fees in certain games at the UK licensed Pokerstars and Full Tilt may increase, likely on re-buys and add-ons.
In related news, another online gambling site, Everest’s Bet-at-Home, has advised that it has been awarded UK licensing, enabling it to continue servicing the British market. The licence covers sports betting and online casino activity provided to UK online punters.