PokerStars Announces Global Launch of Sports Betting and Table Games; Mixed Reactions from Players

We are taking the same principles, practices and integrity that make PokerStars such a successful and beloved brand and applying them to new verticals. These new products will also support the development of poker and grow the overall business." Eric Hollreiser, Head of Corporate Communications;

Other casino games as well as sports betting will be introduced in 2015. The decision comes on the heels of the experience garnered through the casino games project on Full Tilt, and this decision is an indication that things must have gone quite well. In fact, according to the press release, the introduction of casino action on Full Tilt and PokerStars.ES was welcomed by poker players, as around 30% of the customers took part in the casino games on a monthly basis.

We are committed to extending our leadership in poker and will continue to serve the passionate online poker player, while expanding our reach into new audiences and new gaming opportunities." Eric Hollreiser;

There is also some good news for those who prefer a poker-only environment. If a player chooses, he or she will be able to remove the casino games from their lobby and opt out of all the casino-related promotions and marketing.

Keeping in mind that PokerStars' customers are primarily poker players, the games have been developed in such a fashion as to offer multi-player options and social features. Blackjack players will also be able to enjoy the games under a minimum betting limit of $0.10.

Mixed reactions in the community

Players, poker fans and the media have received the news with mixed feelings. The biggest online poker community on the 2 + 2 forum seems divided on the issue. In a thread that surfaced today after the news broke, there are a decent number of those who believe that the arrival of sports bettors in particular could do wonders for poker games.

However, some were voicing their concerns that, with time, the sportsbook and casino will start draining money from the poker operations and poker will slowly take 3rd place.

Alex Dreyfus, the man behind the Global Poker Index, who’s put in a lot of effort recently in his attempts to ‘sportify’ poker, also greeted the announcement with mixed feelings.

Pokerstars launching Sportsbetting and Casino. Mixed feelings about that. Some Heroes and Ambassadors not keen anymore to promote the brand.
— Alexandre Dreyfus (@alex_dreyfus) November 21, 2014

Answering the questions that followed his tweet, Dreyfus stated that there is a potential upside, as part of the money generated through other means will eventually get reinvested in poker. He also reiterated his conviction that some players acting as ambassadors may be reluctant to continue promoting the brand that also offers straight up gambling.

Some, like David Lappin, were in a joking mood.

Amaya haven't put a double-zero on their roulette wheel. Where's the commitment? pic.twitter.com/4JEDNl5lDS
— David K Lappin (@DKLAPPIN) November 21, 2014

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These new gaming options will certainly change the face of PokerStars. At this point it is hard to say how it will affect poker players specifically, as there are two sides of the coin here. On one hand, the introduction of new games and sports betting will clearly bring new money, especially considering the fact that the company will, no doubt, work toward marketing these new offerings.

On the flip side, some of the ‘fish’ will probably exchange play at poker tables for these new, flashy games. That will clearly take some money off the tables. Whether new money will be enough of a substitution for those who exchange poker for casino games is up for debate. It would take a lot of figuring out and comparing numbers from some other sites that have done the same thing.

Only time will tell, but the poker landscape seems to be rapidly changing over the past year or so and it's likely that those who make a living out of poker will have to make some adjustments (whatever these may be) to stay on top of things.

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