Full Tilt Poker deal moving forward

Groupe Bernard Tapie, according to their attorneys, have received a written letter from the Justice Department that could begin the process of the company purchasing Full Tilt, while playing US players back in the meantime. It is a deal that has yet to be complete, but the prospects of an agreement are looking up for the first time in months.

"I'm optimistic that this deal will go forward," said Benham Dayanim, a lawyer for Groupe Bernard Tapie, as reported by the Associated Press. "This deal offers the surest path towards compensation for players and towards restarting the site as a European-facing poker site."

The deal in place would have the Tapie group pay us$ 80 million to purchase Full Tilt. The investment group would then also be on the hook for the outstanding money that is owed to players who had money in their accounts when the Justice Department issued an indictment against Full Tilt last year. Players would be able to seek compensation for what they had in their accounts from the Justice Department.

With the sale of Full Tilt and online gambling regulations in the US imminent, the question then becomes can the new owners move Full Tilt operations back into the US in the future. Analysts are presently unsure as to whether the Tapie group would receive a license in the US. Bernard Tapie has a criminal history that includes bribing soccer players to throw matches.

Lawmakers at the federal level are currently attempting to change the US laws regarding online gambling. Several bills have been filed that would regulate online poker. US gaming companies would likely be the first to have an opportunity to gain the new licenses when they become available.