Update 7/31/12: The deal between PokerStars and the DoJ is now confirmed.
…
That marks about the 14,286th time this headline could have been used in the last 3 months.
Yesterday saw widespread reports of a completed deal between the DoJ and PokerStars that clears the way for the purchase of Full Tilt Poker by Stars (and a subsequent repayment of players). All of those reports appear to be based on this story from Wendeen H. Eolis at PokerPlayerNewspaper, who is herself a credible source and who also seems very secure with her source.
I let cat out of bag at PokerPlayerNewspaper.com; jubilationfor FTP employees/ Dublin & FTP customers. PS to be up for play/pay November
— Wendeen H. Eolis (@WendeenEolis) July 27, 2012
Last tweet needs typo correction. FTPto be up (relaunched by PS) for play and payouts due FTP customers.
— Wendeen H. Eolis (@WendeenEolis) July 28, 2012
However, at least one other credible voice is still saying that nothing has been finalized:
Primary source informs pokerfuse that there no set date for announcement. Expectations should be tempered, nothing is definite.
— pokerfuse (@pokerfuse) July 27, 2012
The general consensus among these sources is that an announcement should be coming Monday or Tuesday (July 30th / 31st).
Ultra-reliable Subject:Poker alum DiamondFlush strongly implies a done deal:
Long awaited news coming at diamondflushpoker.com next few days. No speculation, no rumors, real news.
— Diamond Flush (@Diamond_Flush) July 27, 2012
Gambling 911 is claiming independent confirmation, saying they spent $100k on legal motions to obtain the information. Baruch Weiss is the named counsel, tweets below:
PokerStars matter resolved with US Attorney’s Office today gambling911.com can confirm.Full Tilt Poker deal moving forward…
— gambling911 (@gambling911) July 27, 2012
G911’s attorney in our Motion to Intervene in the Full Tilt Poker case was Baruch Weiss.Look him up arnoldporter.com/professionals.…
— gambling911 (@gambling911) July 28, 2012
Kevmath hedges but apparently has heard some announcement via a source other than the above:
Apparently, there will be an announcement regarding Stars and FTP on Monday. #staytuned ?
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) July 27, 2012
Oddly, Doyle is writing this all up as a win for Howard Lederer:
Full Tilt players are going to be paid in full! Wonder who has been working on that for the past year? Oh wait…#congratsHowardwhatshisname
— Doyle Brunson (@TexDolly) July 28, 2012