The holding company of PokerStars, the Rational Group has decided to comply with Greek gaming laws.

With this move the company will have to move players in Greece to .GR websites and introduce the new daily ‘player withholding tax’ on winnings. New tax laws state that winnings of €100 or more need to be taxed at 15% and are automatically withheld at the end of the day. Winnings over €500 are taxed at 20%. This should exclude money obtained through promotions, bonuses and other prizes. 

Complying with the law allowed PokerStars.GR and FullTiltPoker.GR to start operating legally through a partnership with Diamond Link.  This version of PokerStars shares the same international player pool, but it hides some tournaments with larger prize pools. Players will be able to turn them back on using the ‘Hide Geographically Restricted Tournaments’ option but will be unable to register for them. 

The company also revealed that it’s negotiating with the Hellenic Gaming Commission to have its pokerstarsblog.com domain removed from the regulators blacklist. 

New Jersey authorities have stated that PokerStars won’t be considered for a license to operate in the state for at least two years. 

PokerStars has applied for a license together with its partner Resorts Casino, but New Jersey Division of Gambling Enforcement stated that the review of the application has been suspended for two years. 

The decision has been made because of pending federal gambling charges against Isai Scheinberg, the founder of the company. The federal government shut down the company’s U.S. operations after indictments against Scheinberg and other defendants were unsealed in 2011.

According to Lisa Spengler, a spokeswoman with the Division of Gambling Enforcement stated that the company could seek to have the application reconsider before two years pass if it demonstrates “significantly changed circumastances.”

Eric Hollreiser, a spokesman for PokerStars, stated that the company is “disappointed” by the decision but “will remain in open dialogue” with the state and “update them on changes in our situation as they occur.”

Amaya Gaming Group Inc. is to purchase Rational Group, owners of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker brands, for $5 billion. 

Amaya Gaming Group Inc., developer of gambling equipment, will buy privately held Oldford Group Ltd., parent of Rational Group Ltd., world’ largest poker business to create the world’s largest online gambling company. 

In order to help finance the deal, Amaya has arranged financing from a unit of the Blackstone Group LP and will also issue common shares and preferred shares to help pay for the acquisition. 

After purchasing the Rational Group, owner of PokerStars and FullTiltPoker brands, Amaya Gaming Group will be talking with New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement about licensing PokerStars.

Amaya Gaming Group has recently purchased the Rational Group, owner of PokerStars and FullTiltPoker brands, for $4.9 billion. 

Amaya and the State Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) will meet next week to discuss if PokerStars can obtain a license to operate in New Jersey. Previously under the old ownership PokerStars were suspended for two years until such time as circumstances changed. 

According to DGE director David Rebuck, Amaya should be able to get PokerStars approved by the fall. If successful, it’s expected that Amaya will try to enter other regulated markets, as well as try its luck with those looking to regulate online gambling in the future.