Online gaming doesn’t need to involve battling killer robots or time travelling, sometimes it can be about sitting back in a comfortable chair and hoping Lady Luck is sufficiently on your side to hand you a wad of cash.
Gambling from home is an increasingly popular activity with familiar High Street brands and even the Government sanctioned Lottery making it easy for people to have punt without venturing outside.
But while granny might be happy betting on a cutely named horse from her armchair, the professionals and serious money are to be found in the world of online poker.
No longer confined to the smokey back rooms of BBC TV’s Big Deal, today poker is played online by an ever growing number of fans and next month, the delight of seasons fans of the sport, a familiar brand is set to rise from the ashes.
From 2004 Full Tilt Poker was one of the web’s biggest poker game rooms until, in what sounds like a plot from a film, it was mothballed in 2011 after running foul of the FBI.
Now after a deal with the US authorities, the brand is to reopen in selected countries on November 6th under the ownership of PokerStars, the world’s largest poker site.
PokerStars has already announced that it’ll reimburse Full Tilt Poker customers who have been unable to access funds the site was closed.
In addition, the company recently announced that poker legend Gus Hansen will return as brand ambassador. Hansen is a four-time World Poker Tour champion and widely considered to be one of the best players in the world.
Earlier this month the player said he was “very excited to represent the industry’s most authentic poker brand”, adding: “Full Tilt Poker has the best games, most innovative software and the strongest poker community; to me this feels like coming home.”
Announcing Hansen’s return to the brand, Sarne Lightman, Head of Marketing at Full Tilt Poker, said: “Gus has always embodied the best characteristics of the Full Tilt Poker brand and we are thrilled to have him return as an ambassador.”
The site has been granted an online gambling licence by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, allowing to operate from the island.
The Commission is responsible for ensuring operators and their games are fair and honest and that players receive all their winnings.
“The Gambling Supervision Commission is confident that Full Tilt Poker will safeguard the interests of its players and adhere to the strict policies and procedures governing Isle of Man licensed gaming companies,” said Chief Executive Steve Brennan.
“Full Tilt Poker’s application was strengthened by the fact that their new owners and management team are known to us and have an impeccable record of compliance with the Isle of Man’s regulatory requirements.”
More poker news, including details of upcoming games and tournaments, can be found at poker.co.uk.
