It’s no secret that a lot of online gaming interests would like to keep PokerStars out of the United States. And so far, they’ve been largely successful at doing so because PokerStars has been unable to obtain licensing in Nevada or New Jersey. If 888 CEO Brian Mattingley has his way, it will remain like this for the immediate future.
That’s a change from a June interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Howard Stutz, where it appeared that Mattingley was ready to take Stars by the horns. “We compete with PokerStars throughout Europe,” Mattingley said after Amaya bought Stars. “They are a formidable competitor. But they would make all of us work much harder and it would expand the market.”
The only thing is that Stutz left out a key “however” when the interview was published. That said, let’s discuss Mattingley’s entire feelings regarding when PokerStars should be able to enter the US market.
Open Competition… Just not Right Now
A month after his interview with the LVRJ, Mattingley was again asked about his thoughts on Stars by Global Gaming Business. This time, though, it seemed like he was backpedaling on previous statements.
“We ought to see the regulators saying that they can come in, but because they were taking wagers illegally for those years, you are going to have to suffer a penalty where you can’t operate for a given period of time,” Mattingley said, before adding that “two years” would be an appropriate ban.
Why Mattingley believes in the ban
In a more recent chat with Steve Ruddock at Bluff.com, the 888 boss explained why he thinks Stars should be temporarily kept out of the US. Mattingley told Ruddock that the “however” in his LVRJ interview was followed by, “I do believe they (PokerStars) got that leading edge operating in a market where everyone else was out.”
He continued saying that while many companies left the US following the passage of the UIGEA in 2006, Stars gained an “unfair advantage” by continuing to operate in America. So Mattingley believes a penalty should be issued to ensure that PokerStars isn’t on the same footing as companies that followed the rules like 888. He added that a “one year, 18 months, or two years” ban would be appropriate.
In many cases, those who are against Stars entering the US are seen as largely anti-competitive. But as we can see from Mattingley’s comments, the world’s largest poker site would be good for US online gaming from an overall perspective. However, they should also pay for the advantage that they gained from operating in the US from 2006-11.
The only opinion that matters is that of the poker player community. And we want Porker Stars back ASAP.
Well, Brian Mattingley, envy is the religion of mediocrity.