PokerStars Exec Gives Revealing Interview

PokerStars Communications Chief Eric Hollreiser spoke to internet publication Yogonet and revealed the events leading up to the company's acquisition of Full Tilt Poker as well as his company's plans for the future.

During the interview Hollreiser speaks out about the company's settlement with the U.S. Justice Department in which PokerStars agreed to pay $574 million over the next three years.

Much of that money will be repaid to American poker players who saw their account balances wiped out during the events of Black Friday. PokerStars also agreed to put an additional $184 million into a separate account to pay non-US players once Full Tilt Poker s back up and running.

Interestingly, Hollreiser indicated that PokerStars still retains the possibility of entering the US online poker market again, if and when federal legislation is passed.

As part of the legal settlement between PokerStars and the United States, the poker behemoth did not admit to any wrongdoing, which will prove instrumental should the company apply for a gaming license in the future.

"We’ll certainly watch the developments closely and make decisions based upon the circumstances," Hollreiser said. "We are the leading online poker site and licensed in more countries than anyone in the industry. We bring tremendous value, credibility and integrity to the marketplace. With our U.S. legal issues now resolved, we are a very qualified candidate for a license."

The full interview can be read at: http://www.yogonet.com/english/2012/08/17/we-fully-expect-to-participate...