Full Tilt to migrate to PokerStars platform

Amaya confirms platform merger set to complete by spring, employees at Full Tilt’s Dublin office placed at risk of redundancy 

Amaya will migrate Full Tilt players onto the PokerStars platform in the coming weeks in a move the firm said will improve liquidity, streamline development and improve the overall player experience. [private]

The migration process, which the firm announced this morning, is expected to result in a number of redundancies at Full Tilt’s Dublin office, with staff currently part of a consultation process the firm said should complete in the “coming months”.

The platform migration is set to be completed by the spring, a move Amaya said would allow its tech and development teams to focus on one platform, thus enabling it to make improvements and deliver innovations “faster and more efficiently”.

For example, the firm said instead of splitting resources for developing Sit & Go features independently for each brand, its teams would work together to deliver the best product on a single platform.

PokerStars CEO Rafi Ashkenazi said players would benefit from larger liquidity pools, greater game choice and bigger prize pots.

“It will also make us more nimble as we can focus our technological innovation on one platform, rather than two, so we will be able to innovate more quickly and enter newly-regulating and existing markets swiftly,” he added.

Amaya said Full Tilt remained a profitable poker room, but since its relaunch in 2012 the brand had seen its market share and profitability decline. PokerStars and Full Tilt are set to launch in New Jersey in the coming months, with partner Resorts Casino.

Following the migration, PokerStars and Full Tilt players will hold one account, which will give them access to the shared platform through either brand.

The migration process will automatically identify whether Full Tilt players have an existing PokerStars account and combine the accounts if needed; for those that do, their PokerStars username will take precedence.

If a player does not have a PokerStars account they’ll be given the option to keep their screen name – if it’s available – or create a new one.

Full Tilt players will also join the PokerStars VIP Club rewards program, with play on both brands counting towards a combined VIP Club level.

Full Till, however, will retain its own promotions, table layouts, tournaments, and branded differences such as its Rush Poker variant.

Full Tilt Casino is also included in the migration and will be subject to the same automated account changeover process. Initially, web casino, video poker, baccarat and double-ball roulette games will not be available, but may go live at a later date.

Full Tilt casino players will, however, benefit from access to additional slots games.