Online poker firm PokerStars took a new turn this week when it decided to begin offering casino games on the PokerStars.es client.
The first two games available on offer at PokerStars are blackjack and roulette. The Spanish launch is the first for casino games within the firm, although its sister site Full Tilt began offering similar games earlier this year.
Commenting on the release PokerStars President of Southern Europe Gino Appiotti said, “We know that many of our customers are enjoying online casino games on competing platforms and our offering will enhance their experience with PokerStars and provide a safe, trusted and convenient way for them to be entertained. PokerStars aims to remain the number one poker operator in Spain and strongly believes that in this market, adding casino games is the best way to serve players.”
In other PokerStars related news, the group pulled out of several markets this week. The choice to leave was announced by a short company statement which read: "Our management team regularly reviews our operation along with independent 3rd party professionals to assess the business risk and opportunities for our brand on a market-by-market basis. Following our most recent review, it was determined that we would no longer offer real money games in your country".
Countries left by PokerStars and Full Tilt include: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Cuba, Egypt, North Korea, Kuwait, Sudan, the UAE, Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia.