A few months ago, PokerStars announced that it would increase the rakes on all the games and tournaments it offers to its players. It seems, however, that the world’s biggest online poker cardroom has decided otherwise. In other words, no rake increases will be implemented with the exception of those that concern Spin & Go games, the latest product available on the site.
The first set of changes was implemented on November 4, 2014 when rake increases on all types of Hyper-Turbo Sit & Go tournaments were introduced. Back then, PokerStars promised that more were to come.
Surprisingly, the site has announced that all increases were cancelled except from those concerning the so-called Spin & Go games. In November, their rakes went up to 6% for the $3 and $7 tournaments and to 5% for the $15 and $30 tournaments.
Eric Hollreiser, the current PokerStars’ Head of Corporate Communications, said in a statement that almost all rakes have been returned to their former levels and no further increases will be implemented. He also pointed out that there might be certain exceptions concerning countries that are to face increases in gaming taxes and/or VAT.
Mr. Hollreiser explained that VPP multipliers might be reduced for players that are located in countries subjected to Gaming Duty and/or VAT. What is more, additional charges might be introduced in such countries. The reductions are expected to take place in the first months of 2015. As for the surcharges, they will not be put into effect before July 2015.
PokerStars also promised that their players will not be asked to pay more than 50% of the taxes, a policy that they have managed to maintain for years.
Up until now, the poker platform compensated for the increases in taxes by lowering the rewards only on its respective liquidity sites. This is due to the fact that charging players from different regions that are taking part in the same tournament with different fees has proven to be quite difficult.
Gaming experts claimed that charging players in one room with different fees will most certainly further set apart PokerStars from its rivals and make it even more competitive.
Mr. Hollreiser ended his statement by pointing out that the company is always taking into consideration customers’ feedback and analyses and is not afraid to base its adjustments and changes on these. He also said that they have always been trying to “get it right” so as to be able to provide players with unique poker experience at the best possible price.
