Conflicting Reports on PokerStars Purchase of Full Tilt Poker

Update 7/31/12: The deal between PokerStars and the DoJ is now confirmed.

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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

Here’s a survey of the sources claiming the deal is done

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