Partypoker Rolls Out Nationalized Innovations in France, Spain and Italy

Kaycee James

1 year ago

It’s all systems go for Partypoker in Europe right now as it looks to cement is position in nationalized markets during the new coronavirus pandemic.

Partypoker has rolled out new innovations in Europe’s nationalized markets of France, Spain and Italy. (Image: VectorFree)

This week, the online poker operator confirmed it will host an online WPTDeepStacks event for players in France and Spain.

With live action cancelled for the foreseeable future, the WPT will use Partypoker’s dot.fr and dot.es sites to host its first national online WPTDeepStacks.

Partypoker Puts Together Packages for National Markets

Just days after this announcement, Partypoker was granted an Italian gaming license. Its parent company GVC Holdings made the news public on April 2, confirming that the brand will return to Italy after a four-year hiatus.

The timing could be significant as players across Europe are currently in a state of lockdown. Between France, Spain and Italy, strict rules are in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

In an effort to address these unprecedented dynamics, WPTDeepStacks Online will get underway on April 5. Thanks to the liquidity sharing pact between France and Spain, players in both countries can compete against each other across 44 events.

Buy-ins will start at €2/$2.15 and there will be a total guarantee of €2.5 million/$2.7 million. But, although both countries share playerpools, online poker is more established and popular in France.

To cater to its greater number of high rollers, Partypoker.fr will host three additional WPTDeepStacks. Buy-ins for the trio of extras will top $2,160 and there will be an additional $300,000 in guarantees.

Unprecedented Times Create Unique Opportunities

The unique situation created by coronavirus has made the time right to try nationalized WPTDeepStacks online events. It’s also a unique time to launch another ring-fenced platform.

GVC Holdings purchased Partypoker in 2015. A year later it exited the Italian market due to regulatory changes. Now, four years on, the market is right for a comeback.

Partypoker’s managing director Tom Waters has stressed that there may be challenges ahead. However, he’s optimistic the platform will thrive.

“Despite recent changes that restrict marketing in Italy, the poker market there remains an exciting opportunity for partypoker. We will be looking to improve and expand on our product and offering over 2020 and bring a different option for the Italian poker market,” Waters said in an April 2 press release.

While the future of any business could be in doubt right now, online poker sites are seeing activity increase. With people forced to stay home due to coronavirus, fans of poker are finding more time to play online.

This may change over time. However, for now at least, Partypoker is in a strong position to launch new products in some of Europe’s toughest markets.