PokerStars swoops in with PKR account refund pledge
Amaya-owned brand says players impacted by PKR closure will be able to obtain lost funds via a PokerStars account
PokerStars has agreed to match “dollar-for-dollar” the account balance of approximately 60,000 PKR customers unable to withdraw funds since the closure of the online poker room, EGR Intel has learned.
The Amaya-owned operator said funds would be available from today for both customers with and without a PokerStars account, with no further obligation or play-through required.
The decision comes after it had signed an agreement with the court appointed Administrator for PKR, set up when the 3D poker firm halted trading and applied for administration in May.
Approximately 60,000 PKR players will be able to access their funds via a PokerStars account
Eric Hollreiser, VP of corporate communications for Amaya and PokerStars, admitted the firm would obtain new customers as a result of the decision but said it was not made to improve its bottom line.
“We expect that some players will choose to use that bankroll to play with us and we will gain some new customers, which is certainly a good business decision on our part,” he said.
Hollreiser added: “However, the motivation behind this move is simple: to do the right thing.
“We’re doing this because we think it’s the right thing to do for the poker world and to encourage others to join us in putting you, the player, first by segregating and protecting player balances from operating funds.
“PokerStars is proud that we’re in a position where we’re able to step in and help these players and encourage all companies in the industry to put players first.”
PKR went into adminstration in early May, with David Taylor and Matthew Meadley Wild of RSM Restructuring Advisory appointed administrators by the High Court.
The administrators did not specify at the time whether player funds would be returned to them, only asking PKR account holders to email them at pkr.restructuring@rsmuk.com.
PokerStars said today it had no plans to acquire or revive the PKR platform in the future.