Lawyers For PokerStars Fire Back: 'AGA's Sole Interest Here Is Economic Warfare'Gaming Heavyweights Trade Public Blows In Midst Of Internet Arms Race |
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The mudslinging continues in the battle for access to the extremely lucrative American real-money online gaming market.
Less than a week after the American Gaming Association came out publicly to ferociously oppose PokerStars entering the Atlantic City casino market through the purchase of the struggling Atlantic Club Hotel Casino, lawyers for the web poker giant returned heavy fire.
In a 15-page letter to New Jersey regulators dated Mar. 10, lawyers argued that the “AGA’s sole interest here is economic warfare.” Arguments were made as to why AGA “participation” in the regulatory process is unjustified — as well as a waste of time. The AGA represents some of the most powerful brick-and-mortar casino developers in the world.
One of those firms was singled out by PokerStars’ lawyers: “The AGA’s inconsistency is also apparent in the stark contrast between the arguments raised in its petition and the prior efforts of one of its board members to form a business relationship with PokerStars. On Feb. 8, 2013, AGA member Caesars Entertainment approached PokerStars and offered to sell it the Rio Casino in Las Vegas. At that time, Caesars suggested that this acquisition would give PokerStars a better relationship with Caesars and would help PokerStars gain a license in Nevada. PokerStars declined the offer because it had no plans to acquire another casino in the near term. Within weeks the AGA submitted its petition to the Commission.”
PokerStars is basically saying that if it’s actually such an undesirable company within the gaming industry, why would a Nevada casino developer want to do any business together?
The AGA said that PokerStars “operated as a criminal enterprise for many years.” PokerStars was under federal indictment until it settled in July for more than $700 million. In the deal, PokerStars didn’t admit to any wrongdoing and the government said it could reenter the U.S. market if licensed in a jurisdiction where web poker is legal.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was enacted in 2006. PokerStars stopped taking deposits from American customers in April 2011 because of Black Friday.
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