Speculation earlier this month that the launch of PokerStars India was imminent (see previous InfoPowa report) became reality this week when the online poker provider announced that it will be closing its dotcom international poker room in India and replacing it with a local PokerStars India version.
A message on the website informed players that the dotcom site will no longer be available in India starting on April 16, while the new PokerStars.IN operated by Sachiko Gaming Private Limited will launch on April 17.
The change entails a shift to a segregated player pool for Indian players, and wagers denominated in rupees.
“In India, we have entered into an arrangement with a well-established domestic licensed lottery and gaming operator, which will give our brand access to this highly populated market and ability to build awareness for both our PokerStars brand and the game itself,” The Stars Group CEO Rafi Ashkenazi said, cautioning that it may take a few years for the business to reach profitability and for the company to receive noticeable licence fees.
InfoPowa readers will recall that Sachiko is an offshoot of online skill games company Sachar Gaming, connected to lottery conglomerate Sugal and Damani Group. The Sugal and Damani group reportedly operates skill game websites under the brand Khelplay.com, but had announced they would shut down these operations by March 15, seemingly to make way for PokerStars.IN.
Competition in the market is growing from online poker sites like Adda52.com, Spartan Poker, Khelo365, PokerBaazi, PokaBunga and MPN India. Independent industry monitor GameIntel estimates traffic at these sites at 800 concurrent cash games seats, representing a market more than twice the size of New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware combined.