PokerStars Will Have Tough Time Obtaining License in Nevada

In a report filed by CardPlayer.com’s Brian Pempus this week, it was revealed that PokerStars will have some serious “credibility issues to overcome” should it want to obtain a license to operate an online poker site from the state of Nevada. 

Perhaps this is a classic case of “no good deed goes unpunished”. 

PokerStars this week agreed to pay back all Full Tilt Poker customers owed monies as part of a deal arranged through the US Justice Department.  In doing so, the DOJ implied that Stars would be permitted back into the US market should legislation pass allowing such activity.  The Silver State has already passed such legislation.  Nevada will allow “real money” play outside its borders only after a federal measure is passed. 

State Assemblyman William Horne, sponsor of Nevada’s online gaming bill that became law earlier this year, believes PokerStars could prove attractive to state regulators, however, recent actions by the DOJ and the fact that Stars founder Isai Scheinberg remains on the lam, doesn’t exactly bode well for the world’s largest real cash online poker firm. 

From CardPlayer.com: 

Horne said that he doesn’t think PokerStars was “candid” or “forthcoming” during its relationship with state lawmakers. He said that the company probably had an idea that a federal investigation was ongoing at the time.

When asked if PokerStars has burned any bridges in Nevada, Horne said that isn’t the case. He said that he has confidence in Nevada’s gaming regulators to vet each company that applies to do online poker business in the state on a case-by-case basis. PokerStars “might be deserving” of a license, he said.

The DOJ’s assertion, however, does give the green light to a partnership arrangement with one of Nevada’s casinos or another entity that may ultimately obtain a Nevada Web gaming license. 

Either way it appears Stars re-entry into the US market is inevitable.

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com