Full Tilt Online Poker Ready to Launch in France

Full Tilt Poker started its software beta-test phase last week. The online poker site allows players from Estonia, Belgium, Denmark and Spain to access their accounts for the first time in almost one and a half years.

Gamblers from the above mentioned countries are allowed to participate in play-money poker games. The players are also provided with Poker Stars account pairing functionality prior to the Full Tilt official re-launch date of November 6, 2012.

French online poker players were given the same functionality at end of last week.

The French gambling authority, ARJEL (Autorite de Regulation des Jeux En Ligne, Regulatory Authority for Online Games) reached an agreement with Poker Stars, the current owner of the Full Tilt brand and its players.

According to French gambling news, ARJEL allowed players from France to transfer funds from their original Full Tilt Poker account to the French Poker Stars account.

Italian players, however, need to remain patient. Poker Stars claims it is trying to “overcome obstacles” and continues the legal consultations with Italian authorities to resolve the situation and start offering online poker in Italy.

If anyone ever had a chance to deal with Italian authorities, they should know that a quick response could take anything up to years.

Eric Hollreiser, Poker Stars head of corporate communications commented on the news: "For the millions of players who will have access to their funds, this marks the end of a long and emotional roller-coaster ride.”

Hollreiser added: “We hope this begins a new journey that allows players to enjoy two great poker sites - Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars - with the confidence in the shared ownership of The Rational Group, who will ensure the safety and security of your funds and the integrity of your poker action."

Last month, France’s ARJEL signed a deal with AAMS (Amministrazione autonoma dei monopoli di Stato - the Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies) of Italy for cooperation in regulating online gambling in France and Italy.