UK players face regulatory changes at PokerStars
United Kingdom players are moving to PokerStars UK in October, we highlight all the key changes here.
On October 1 the new Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act comes into force in the UK. This week PokerStars have officially announced the changes to their service, which will come into effect for UK players next month.
The changes can be summarised as follows:
- UK players will remain in the same player pool
- No rake increases
- Removal of auto-rebuy in cash games and rebuy tournaments
- Reduction in VIP scheme benefits from 2015
- Changes take place on October 1
UK residents will be prompted to install new software when they log in, however UK players will not be segregated and remain in the DOTCOM player pool and will have access to the same games and opponents they always have.
VIP reductions and no auto-rebuy
The only notable playing experience change is that the auto-rebuy function for cash games and rebuy tournaments will be removed, to fall in line with the new regulation.
The other significant change is that UK players will see a slight reduction in VIP benefits starting in 2015. PokerStars will now be paying 15% gross tax on profits from UK players, and this will be reflected in the VIP system. More information on this is expected at a later date.
However, although the VIP system will change, rake will remain the same for UK players.
No other changes are expected. Player-to-player transfers and deposit limits are not expected to be restricted, even though these are restricted in some other regulated markets.
PokerStars is the first major operator to announce these changes ahead of the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act. Expect most of the other major poker rooms to do the same before October 1.
