PokerStars to Buy Full Tilt Poker? - update

PokerStars to Buy Full Tilt Poker? - update

Wednesday, 25 April 2012

We are hearing unconfirmed reports at Bluff Towers that suggest that PokerStars has struck a deal with US DoJ for the acquisition of Full Tilt Poker. This follows the news that Groupe Bernard Tapie's proposed deal to buy FTP has gone asunder after both parties failed to agree terms regarding the repayment of player funds.

Several reports allege that PokerStars has agreed a settlement with the US DoJ that will lead to the purchase of Full Tilt Poker and, importantly, the repayment of all players still owed money after the closure of the Full Tilt site. Groupe Bernard Tapie had been the front runner to finalise a deal for
the former online poker giant until negotiations reached an impasse earlier today. A fee in the region of $750 million is rumoured to have been agreed for the acquisition and settlement to the DoJ, although we await confirmation of the finer details.


Update


A person 'familiar with the matter' has told The Wall Street Journal that PokerStars is in discussions to acquire Full Tilt. According to the unnamed source, 'PokerStars would acquire the assets of its smaller rival' as 'part of a broader settlement of a civil case brought by the DOJ against the two companies'.


PokerStars has neither confirmed nor denied any of the latest rumours. In statement released last night, Eric Hollreiser, Head of Corporate Communications for PokerStars, said, “We've had a lot of enquiries and there's lots of speculation on the forums, so I wanted to address the PokerStars chatter. As you know, PokerStars is in settlement discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice. As such settlement discussions are always confidential, we are unable to comment on rumors. As soon as we have information to share publicly we will do so.”



Tags: Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars, Black Friday, Groupe Bernard Tapie