Will Pokerstars Exit Australia


IS AMAYA IN AUSTRALIAS DEPARTURE LOUNGE?
 
CFO reveals that  legislative changes in Oz could trigger Pokerstars exit.
 
One of the interesting issues to emerge from online gambling group Amayas third quarter results conference call with the media and analysts on Monday has been the possibility that the Australian governments proposed tightening of online gambling regulations could trigger Amayas departure from that market.
 
Chief financial officer Daniel Sebag said the possibility is currently under review, whilst chief executive officer Rafi Ashkenazi indicated that planning – including the establishment of relationships with possible local partners – is well in hand for an entry into the Indian market in the first half of 2017, motivated by the potential US$80 to US$150 million market in that populous region.
 
Sebag revealed that Australian activity delivers around 2.5 percent of Amaya revenue, and that earning margins had slipped.