PokerStars gears up for India launch

The Stars Group has entered into a partnership with gaming company Sugal & Damani to support the launch of its PokerStars brand in India.

According to GLaws.in, PokerStars will replace khelplay, an online poker website that was previously operated by Sugal & Damani’s parent firm, Sachar Gaming Private Limited.

Khelplay had been scheduled to cease operations on March 15.

Records seen by GLaws.in show that Sachiko Gaming Private Limited, another company owned by Sachar Gaming Private Limited, now owns the domain name ‘Pokerstars.in’.

At present, the Pokerstars.in greets visitors with a message that states ‘Coming Soon!’.

Although a launch date for PokerStars in India has not yet been announced, the GLaws.in site said a number of sources have indicated that the service could go live within the next few weeks.

Rafi Ashkenazi, chief executive of The Stars Group, has previously spoken about the possible launch of PokerStars in India, initially stating that the service would go live in 2017.

Related article: PokerStars targets India launch in 2017
Long read: is poker the entry point to India? (paywall)