PokerStars: We'll be in the United States, at Both State and Federal Levels

As part of the settlement with the US Department of Justice and acquisition of the assets of Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars announced today that it was committed to bringing its brands to the United States—both at the state level and federal level once legislation permits.

As part of the settlement agreement, neither PokerStars nor Full Tilt admitted to any wrong-doing in operating in the United States market prior to Black Friday.

According to the PokerStars press release issued today, the settlement agreement specifically acknowledges that both PokerStars and Full Tilt are eligible to apply for a license in the US to offer real money poker when states or the federal government offer such an opportunity.

“We look forward to this opportunity and are confident that we bring tremendous value, regulatory experience, market credibility and financial integrity” to the US marketplace, stated Eric Hollreiser, Head of Corporate Communcations of PokerStars, in a blog post today.

Nevada has already passed online poker legislation and the first sites hope to go live in months. Delaware has also legalized online poker and hopes to start issuing licenses in early 2013.

There are also still hopes for federal online poker legislation this year and congressional talks between Democratic US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Senatorial anti-gambling leader Jon Kyl continue.