Pokerstars.Fr Launches

As a result of the gambling laws changing in France, Pokerstars have opened a version of the software just for French players, Pokerstars.fr. The site opened for real money games on Wednesday 30th June 2010 after the company were granted a licence from the Autorité de Régulation des Jeux en Ligne (ARJEL) to operate in France. The new law states that player’s can only play on sites that are located in France and only against other French players.

This is the second country to have a specifc version of the software made for them in just under two years. In 2008 Italy also restricted residents from playing online poker with player’s outside the country, meaning Pokerstars.It was formed.

Poker has grown rapidly in France in recent times, with a host of famous poker pro’s, such as Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier endorsing the game. This means that Pokerstars.Fr is likely to be an instant hit with player’s and as members can only play against others from the same country, it may create a close community feel amongst the site. Pokerstars have also said they are offering the chance for player’s to win seats at major offline tournaments such as the European Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker.

Other poker rooms are also trying to get a licence to trade in France, with Party Gaming, FriendBet, ChiliPoker, and Partouche Gaming France SAS also being accepted along with Pokerstars.

With another country changing their laws regarding online poker, is it just a matter of time before more jump on the bandwaggon?