Pokerstars Obtains Gaming License for Spain

AsiaNet 49548

MADRID, June 4, 2012 / PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

         The world's largest online poker site adds a Spanish license to its

                                  growing portfolio

    PokerStars has been awarded a license to operate in Spain and will launch

http://www.PokerStars.es on June 5 to serve the Spanish online poker market, the

company announced today.

    "Spain is a very important poker market and features some of the best

players in the world," said Gino Appiotti, President of Licensed Markets -

Spain, Italy and France, for PokerStars. "As the most popular online poker site

in the world, we are very happy to provide the best variety of games, the

safest and most secure online play and our world-class software to the market."

    Obtaining a license to operate in Spain underlines PokerStars' commitment

to be among the first companies to enter regulated markets when licenses become

available. PokerStars operates the leading online poker site in the world and

has developed the largest community of poker players through its online sites,

sponsorship of live poker tournaments and production of poker television

programming.

    Spanish regulations now permit residents to play online poker with licensed

operators. Spanish players can compete only against other Spanish players as

required by the recently passed online gaming law.

    "Spain is home to some of the best poker players in the world," said Juan

Manuel Pastor, a member of the Spanish Team PokerStars Pro. "I'm looking

forward to playing on http://www.PokerStars.es and competing against players

from across the country."

    PokerStars adds Spain to its growing list of licenses that currently

includes France, Denmark, Italy, Estonia, Belgium, Malta and the Isle of Man.

As an industry leader, PokerStars provides a safe and secure environment for

players and fans to compete in an array of innovative and traditional poker

games and tournaments.

    About PokerStars:

    PokerStars operates PokerStars.com [http://www.pokerstars.com ], the

world's most popular online poker site that serves the world's largest poker

community, with more than 49 million registered members since it launched in

December 2001. It's the first choice of the world's top players, with more

daily tournaments than anywhere else, and with the best security online. More

hands have been dealt on PokerStars.com than any other site; that's over 80

billion hands and more than 550 million tournaments played.

    PokerStars.com and PokerStars.eu operate worldwide under licenses from the

Isle of Man and Malta governments, respectively. PokerStars also operates under

separate government licenses in Denmark, France, Italy, Belgium and Estonia.

    Source: PokerStars