Germany's New Poker Rules Spark Controversy as Spain Sees Boom

Germany's online poker market has been significantly impacted by new regulations that took effect recently. From October 15th, players logging in from Germany will no longer be able to choose their own table and are now limited to a maximum of four tables. Additionally, a new deposit limit of €1,000 per month has been imposed, which is likely to upset many players, especially those playing higher than small stakes.

Meanwhile, across the border in Spain, the online poker market is booming. After a 48% jump in Q1, the COVID-19 lockdown gave the industry another shot in the arm, and the boom continued. In fact, April saw a 170% year-on-year increase in traffic.

In other news, David Ginola, the former French international footballer, is the new brand ambassador for PokerStars sports betting platform in France. The global market leader has struggled to assert its dominance in France despite holding a license for a decade, sitting only in fourth place. Ginola is a household name in France and one of its most recognisable former sports stars.