Amaya Gaming’s PokerStars brand has become the latest operator to withdraw its services from Portugal.

This week saw the PokerStars Partners Team issue emails to its Portuguese affiliates, instructing them that Stars’ affiliate program “will no longer accept players from Portugal until further notice.” The email warned that “all marketing materials (banners, links, etc.) and marketing efforts should cease immediately.” The decision also applies to Amaya’s Full Tilt brand.

Portugal is in the process of implementing its new online gambling regime, which came into effect on Monday, June 29. Operators interested in obtaining new Portuguese licenses are withdrawing from the market to ensure there are no complications when the government begins accepting new license applications in September.

Affiliates were told that PokerStars “fully expect to apply for a license in Portugal so that we can provide a fun, safe and competitive environment for Portuguese consumers to enjoy online poker.” Earlier this week, UK-listed bookmaker William Hill issued similar reassurances while announcing its own Portuguese withdrawal, telling affiliates it was “confident that we will have the opportunity to work together in the future.”

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