PokerStars.com opens in Italy

PokerStars.com stated that its launch of PokerStars.it signals a landmark development in building an Italian-only version of what it calls “the world’s largest poker site”. The new portal will allow players in Italy to take part in online tournaments with real money within prescribed limits set by local law.

"Players on PokerStars.it will have the opportunity to win their entry into famous international poker events like the PokerStars.com European Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas," said Dario Minieri, professional poker player sponsored by PokerStars.com. "These competitions require players to have the right mix of skill, training, concentration and luck."

PokerStars.com stated that market research estimated that half a million accounts would be opened within the first year of online poker being legalized in Italy to create an industry worth over us$ 539 million. "PokerStars.com is proud to be entering a flourishing market with this new product," said Fabio Angeli Bufalini, Italian Country Manager for PokerStars.com.

"This is a ground-breaking time for the online poker industry and it’s very exciting that the Italian market is pioneering this move. This is the start of a global template that could potentially be adopted in other markets internationally in the next few years."