Historical Archive: Defunct & Restructured Poker Operators

Historical Archive

Defunct & Restructured Poker Operators

A factual record of online poker operators that ceased operations, were seized by regulators, or underwent fundamental restructuring. Understanding this history is essential context for evaluating today’s regulated market.

About This Archive

This archive documents online poker operators that are no longer active. Entries are based on court records, regulatory filings, journalistic reporting, and published government documents. EUPoker has no commercial relationship with any entity referenced here. All figures cited reference publicly available sources.

Featured: Black Friday & Its Aftermath

On 15 April 2011 — known in poker circles as “Black Friday” — the United States Department of Justice unsealed indictments against the three largest online poker operators serving US players: PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker/Cereus Network. The event fundamentally reshaped global online poker.

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Full Tilt Poker

Founded 2004 by professional players. Seized by DOJ in 2011 amid allegations funds were misappropriated. Players locked out of over $400M globally. PokerStars later acquired the brand and facilitated non-US player reimbursement.

Read Full History →

Status: Defunct (2011)

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Absolute Poker / UltimateBet

Part of the Cereus Network. Both sites indicted on Black Friday. UltimateBet had a prior 2008 superuser scandal in which insiders viewed opponents’ hole cards. Sites ceased operations following DOJ action.

Status: Defunct (2011) — Detailed page coming soon.

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PartyPoker (US Exit)

At its peak in 2005-06 PartyPoker was the world’s largest online poker room. It exited the US market voluntarily in October 2006 ahead of UIGEA enactment, ceding market dominance to PokerStars. Still active in regulated markets.

Status: Active (non-US) — Detailed page coming soon.

Regulatory Timeline: Key Events

2006

UIGEA Enacted (USA) — The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passes as a rider to the SAFE Port Act. Major operators including PartyPoker and 888 exit the US market. PokerStars and Full Tilt remain, interpreting the law differently.
2008

UltimateBet Superuser Scandal — Investigation reveals insiders used a superuser account to see opponents’ hole cards across thousands of hands. Cereus Network ordered to refund affected players approximately $22M by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
2011

Black Friday — April 15 — US DOJ unseals indictments against PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker/Cereus. Domains seized. PokerStars reaches settlement; Full Tilt’s licence is revoked by the AGCC after failure to pay player balances.
2012

PokerStars Acquires Full Tilt Assets — PokerStars reaches agreement with DOJ to acquire Full Tilt Poker brand and assets. As part of the deal PokerStars agrees to reimburse non-US player balances (approximately $184M) and pay a combined $731M to the DOJ.
2014

Full Tilt Relaunched Under PokerStars — Full Tilt Poker relaunches as a PokerStars-owned brand, targeting recreational players with a distinctive Rush Poker variant and fantasy sports crossover branding.
2023

Full Tilt Brand Retired — Flutter Entertainment (parent of PokerStars) formally retires the Full Tilt Poker brand and closes the platform, directing remaining players to PokerStars.

Why Historical Context Matters

For Players & Researchers

The Black Friday era established the enforcement precedent that shaped every subsequent regulatory framework in Europe. Understanding what went wrong with Full Tilt’s segregation of player funds directly informs why modern EU regulations mandate ring-fenced accounts and independent audits.

For Regulatory Perspective

The collapse of unregulated operators accelerated Europe’s move toward licensing regimes in the 2010s. Sweden’s 2019 market opening, Germany’s 2021 Interstate Treaty, and the Netherlands’ 2021 re-regulation all cite consumer protection — ensuring player funds are safe — as the primary driver.