Europe embraces shared poker liquidity

The agreement between European jurisdictions related to shared online poker liquidity has taken effect.

Spain.- Regulators of France, Portugal, Spain and Italy have updated the status of shared online poker liquidity, taking further steps in the implementation of the international agreement. Several communications were published last week by countries’ gaming authorities revealing the conditions and regulations to operate the market.

According to the international press, Spain and France authorities have already established their joint online poker cash game and tournament tables. The complete information will be published before February. Meanwhile, Portugal “will join the shared tables shortly after the Spain-France launch,” as confirmed by related sources.

Italy is still delasyed as some politicians have shown unfounded concern on international money laundering. Liquidity sharing could be delayed in Italy for at least a year since there have been significant opposition to the current terms.

The international settlement was signed last year by authorities from France, Portugal, Spain and Italy, as announced by major gaming regulator in Spain, DGOJ. Authorised operators could apply to the project in order to set further strategies to develop the industry. Once operators enter the online poker shared liquidity project, gaming regulators would investigate the companies’ businesses and later approve or reject the petition.

Although it is a big step for the international gaming industry, the agreement has not immediately come into force as each government will implement it according to its regulatory requirements.