Playtech launches French iPoker Network
21/07/2010
Suzie Neuwirth
Playtech has launched its iPoker Network in France, with Chilipoker the first operator to launch on the network.
French regulator ARJEL has so far given out out 11 licenses to online poker operators, including Chilipoker, Bwin, Everest, PartyPoker, BetClic, PokerStars and Winamax.
Additional licensees will be added to Playtech's new French network in the coming months, including French land-based casino groups, JOA, Groupe Tranchant and Casino du Golfe. JOA and Casino du Golfe have submitted applications for a French licence to ARJEL.
888/Microgaming’s joint poker network also gained a French licence recently and will be following iPoker Network in targeting the French market.
Chiligaming already has a partnership with the French group Iliad, which operates the French internet service provider (ISP), Free.
Alex Dreyfus, chief executive of Chiligaming, said: “Chilipoker is very proud to have been the first iPoker licensee in France and is working actively with Playtech to make iPoker France have the biggest liquidity. Because of our poker expertise and knowledge of the French market, Chilipoker will launch a B2B poker offering very soon.”
Playtech chief executive Mor Weizer said he was “delighted” to announce the launch of the French iPoker network. “I am confident that it will develop to become one of the leading liquid networks in France. As the market expands in its regulated form, France has the potential to become a very substantial local market,” he said.
Major Playtech licensees such as TitanBet are however yet to announce their launch in the newly regulated French egaming market.
