Poker players across France and Spain can now challenge and play each other at PokerStars, which today has become the first online operator approved to offer a shared player pool between the locally licensed poker markets. Poker fans from both countries will now be able to compete for bigger prize pools, amped-up guarantees and juicy promotions at the regulated online poker site, a big win for French and Spanish players.

“This will be great for players and great for the poker category,” said Guy Templer, Chief Operating Officer of Stars Interactive Group, the gaming division of The Stars Group. “The French and Spanish regulators have done an excellent job in enabling a dramatic improvement in the gaming experience in their jurisdictions. Now French and Spanish players can access a larger player pool with bigger prizes, promotions and a better selection of games, all with the confidence provided by a trusted, licensed operator.

“Having a strong, competitive regulated offering – which comes from combining player pools – has proven to be attractive to consumers who might otherwise be choosing to play on un-licensed and potentially un-safe sites. We’re looking forward to extending this to Italian and Portuguese players, and offer our full support to the relevant authorities in those countries to do so. In particular, we would encourage Italy to resume their drive toward shared liquidity which after a good start has recently slowed considerably.”