On an earnings call today covering Amaya’s 1Q15 results, CEO David Baazov reiterated that PokerStars NJ remains “on track” for approval and launch in the third quarter of 2015 as outlined in Amaya’s last call. Baazov’s statement echoes sentiments expressed recently by New Jersey regulators and the owner of PokerStars’ NJ partner Resorts AC. Baazov offered somewhat mixed commentary on California, sounding both positive and non-committal notes that lacked specificity (understandable given the muddy waters surrounding the issue). “We’re very pleased with the efforts and what we see,” said Baazov, adding that “we’re very very excited about what momentum we…

Players can now enjoy all the thrill of roulette and blackjack on PokerStars.it, an Amaya brand. Players will be able to enjoy both play money and real money casino games at PokerStars in Italy with the same level of support, integrity, trust and innovation they receive at the poker tables. In true PokerStars fashion, multi-player social experiences will be at the forefront of the games on offer, with players able to play, chat and interact with other players. This will be particularly relevant in Blackjack, where one player’s decisions can affect results for the whole table. Players are able to…

The world’s largest online poker site is set to make a drastic – and retroactively applicable – change to its affiliate program. That’s per an email from PokerStars to affiliates (included in full below) announcing that as of June 1st, revenue share will only be paid on referred players for the first two years of the player’s activity. The previous terms saw affiliates credited with revenue share for the lifetime of the player. The change applies to new and existing referrals. The upshot: Affiliates will no longer be paid revenue share for any player referred before June 1, 2013. It’s…

Las Vegas Review Journal – The chief executive of European online gaming giant 888 Holdings said Wednesday that rival PokerStars should be allowed to operate in the United States now that the company is being sold for $4.9 billion to a Canadian Internet wagering firm. The comments by 888 CEO Brian Mattingley differ dramatically from online industry rivals and various state lawmakers, who have moved to ban PokerStars from entering legal U.S. gaming jurisdictions. PokerStars, which forfeited $731 million to federal prosecutors in 2012 to settle a civil complaint, accepted online wagers from Americans after the activity was ruled illegal…

Canadian gaming provider Amaya Gaming is set to acquire Rational Group, the parent company of the world’s leading online poker site PokerStars, for US$4.9bn (€3.6bn). Amaya struck the deal with Oldford Group Limited, the holding company for Rational Group and will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Oldford Group in an all-cash transaction for an aggregate purchase price, which includes certain differed payments and is subject to other customary adjustments. The transaction will be financed by a combination of cash on hand, new debt, and a private placement of subscription receipts, common shares and non-voting convertible preferred….

Card Player – Bloomberg reported on Thursday that PokerStars, the world’s largest poker website in terms of traffic, is near a deal to be acquired by Amaya Gaming Group Inc. Amaya is a maker of gambling equipment and systems. The Canada-based Amaya owns the Ongame Network, which it acquired from bwin.party in 2012. It also has partnered with the Golden Nugget for online gaming in Nevada and New Jersey. In addition, Amaya Gaming has a deal with Ultimate Gaming for online gambling in New Jersey. According to the report, PokerStars being under new ownership might give the firm a better…