3-Bet: PokerStars Plans to Start Operations in Pennsylvania, PokerStars Founder Enters Spain`s Real Estate Market & Poker Community Mourns Emma Fryer`s Death

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  • PG News November 15, 2017
  • 3 Minutes Read

In this edition of PokerGuru 3-Bet our first story talks about PokerStars’ intention to start operations in Pennsylvania once the state legalizes online gaming and poker. Our next report is about Mark Scheinberg, the co-founder and former owner of online poker room PokerStars, who has entered Spain’s real estate market. Wrapping up our report is the sad news of the passing away of English poker player Emma Fryer in a car accident.

 

PokerStars to Start Operations in Pennsylvania

Online poker giant PokerStars, understandably, is excited about the prospect of expanded online gambling in the US with an entry in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf on October 30 signed a bill that will make the Keystone State the fourth one in the US to legalize online gaming or poker.

We are poised to take advantage of the positive momentum in the growth of online gaming globally and the continued march towards regulation, including in the United States where we aim to be among the first operators to launch in Pennsylvania when that state opens its door to online poker and casino,” Rafi Ashkenazi, CEO of PokerStars parent company The Stars Group, told analysts during an earnings conference call.

PokerStars is also bullish on future US markets. “We are optimistic that Pennsylvania will be a catalyst for other US states to continue the momentum of iGaming regulation in the US,” CFO Brian Kyle said.

With a population almost twice the size of New Jersey, Pennsylvania is poised to become a significant marketplace for iGaming and a potential boost to our US poker business as Pennsylvania is expected to share liquidity with New Jersey and other US states as they regulate,” he added.

Speculations are rife on potential partner`s for PokerStars in this new market. Talking on the issue, their Chief Legal Officer Marlon Goldstein said, “We’re still evaluating our options in terms of who we may want to partner with and the landscape in Pennsylvania generally. But again, we are really excited to be competing in that market sequentially as soon as possible.”

 

PokerStars Founder Mark Scheinberg Enters Spain`s Real Estate Market

Mark Scheinberg, the co-founder and former owner of PokerStars, is set to take his first step into Spain’s real estate market with Centro Canalejas Madrid, a luxury hotel, residential, and retail complex currently under development in the Spanish capital that is expected open its doors in 2019.

Scheinberg purchased his stake in the project in February 2017 for €225 million through Mohari Limited. However, his involvement was confirmed several months later. Grupo Villar Mir and OHL Desarrollos are the other two companies involved in the multi-million venture.

Centro Canalejas Madrid will include a 200-room Four Seasons Hotel, the popular Canadian chains first in Spain, a residential area (which will, too, be operated by Four Seasons), 15,000 square meters of retail space, and multiple food and beverage facilities. A parking lot with 400 spaces and 4,200 square meters of spa, restaurants, banquet halls, and meeting facilities will also complement the expensive project.

According to Forbes, Mr Scheinberg’s estimated net worth currently stands at $4.5 billion.

 

Poker Community Mourns The Untimely Death of Emma Fryer

A pale of gloom descended on the poker world when the unexpected news of the passing away of Emma Fryer came out in the open. The English poker player was killed in a car accident in Czech Republic on November 5.

Fryer was in the Czech Republic for the 2017 World Series of Poker Europe festival when the car she was travelling in met with an accident. Although not much came out about the mishap, it was thought that foggy conditions might have resulted in the crash.

Emma Fryer
Emma Fryer

Fryer was a passenger in the car that was being driven by a friend when the accident happened last Saturday night (November 4). The poker player is believed to have died on the spot.

Fryer was a regular fixture in live poker tournaments in and around Nottingham and had cashes dating back to June 2011. Fryer was having a great run this year finishing third in the October 5 edition of the DTD 1000 for £47,500 and followed that up a week later with a runner-up finish in the Genting Poker Series Mini Sheffield for £7,000.

The 42-year-old from Alsager was due to leave her job at gambling giant bet365 to follow her poker dream.

Fryer, who recently got married, left behind partner Gary, and two daughters, Gemma and Jess. Known as the ‘Poker Queen’, Emma had just learnt that her eldest daughter, 20-year-old Gemma, was pregnant.

Among the numerous posts and comments from the poker community was Unibet ambassador Daiva “Baltic Blonde” Byrne who wrote, “My heart breaks to hear the tragic news regarding Emma Fryer. She was such a wonderful person and an amazing player,” while British grinder Matt Davenport said: “RIP Emma Fryer. Can’t believe I’m writing that after chatting to her last night. She was so looking forward to playing in the biggest tourney of her life today. The rest of the trip is going to be a very sombre one indeed.”

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