Canadian online gaming supplier Amaya Gaming confirmed plans to merge its two well established poker brands Full Tilt and PokerStars into a single platform. There has been speculation that the provider wanted to migrate Full Tilt to the dominant PokerStars poker platform within the following six weeks; Amaya published a press release confirming the gossip and stating that the merger should be completed this spring.
According to the information provided by the company, the main goal of the merger is to make it possible for Amaya to focus on upgrading its offering on a single platform instead of on two separate ones. The provider plans to deliver exciting innovations in order to improve the poker experience and make it easily accessible to players.
Even though the release highlights that Amaya would remain committed to a “dual-poker brand strategy,” it’s believed that the underperforming Full Tilt brand might soon be shut down. Nevertheless, the company reassured fans that the platform’s unique and recognisable products would be available to them in the future. Some of the mentioned features to be included in the merged platform are Rush Poker, table layouts, promos and tournaments.
Amaya also revealed that the merger would result in elimination of roles in Full Tilt’s office in Dublin. However, the company didn’t provide further information as to how many employees may be at risk of losing their jobs.
With the changes, players would be able to use a single account to gain access to either the Full Tilt or PokerStars software. According to Rafi Ashkenazi, Rational Group CEO, fans of both platforms would benefit from the merger.
Full Tilt was taken over and re-launched by the Rational Group back in 2012, but the brand never managed to regain its status as a strong player on the declining global online poker market. Two years later, the company was acquired by Amaya for staggering $4.9 billion.