Amaya Gaming Group Acquires PokerStars and Full Tilt for $4.9 Billion

Amaya Gaming Group, a Canadian company providing solutions in the gambling industry for regulated markets, has acquired Rational Group, the owner of PokerStars and Full Tilt, for $4.9 billion. Founded in 2004 as a software provider for electronic poker tables, Amaya has grown through strategic acquisitions. David Baazov, who joined Amaya's management in 2006, has led the company on a course of development through the acquisition of promising companies, including CryptoLogic, Cadillac Jack, and the Ongame network in 2012 for $32 million.

After the completion of the deal, Amaya will become the largest publicly traded company in the online gambling industry. PokerStars and Full Tilt are the most popular and profitable platforms in the world, with 85 million registered users. The acquisition includes live tournament series, online media, television broadcasts, and TV shows owned by Rational Group. Mark Scheinberg, who became the executive director of the company after Isai Scheinberg's departure, will leave his position and transfer his stake in the company to the new owners. The management team of Rational Group will remain intact, and the deal will not affect online poker services. Players will be able to continue using the services in full.

Rational Group employs 1,700 people worldwide and earned $967 million and $1.1 billion in 2012 and 2013 respectively before taxes and deductions. David Baazov stated that the deal will not affect the poker business of Rational Group, and players will be able to continue using online poker services as before. The acquisition is expected to further the growth and development of the company, particularly in the US market.