POKERSTARS REMAINS COMMITTED TO U.S. PLAYERS

(691) (12-October-2006)

"These provisions do not alter the U.S. legal situation with respect to online poker"

After carefully studying the U.S. situation (see earlier InfoPowa reports) the world's second largest online poker company, PokerStars.com announced today (Thursday) that it would continue to accept business from American players.

Reuters reports that the company feels that a looming U.S. ban on online gaming financial transactions would not apply to poker as a game of skill, and business would continue as usual.

"These provisions do not alter the U.S. legal situation with respect to online poker," PokerStars said in a statement. "Furthermore, it is important to emphasise that the [Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement] act does not in any way prohibit you from playing online poker."

"Therefore, our business continues as before, open to players worldwide including the U.S.," it added. "You may play on our site as you did prior to the act. PokerStars believes that poker is a game of skill."