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Online poker has grown increasingly fragmented over the past decade, largely due to regulatory barriers and market restrictions, according to PokerStars Ambassador David Lappin. He believes the newly launched PokerStars Network (PSN) offers a potential solution to this long-standing issue.
The PSN is designed to unite scattered player pools across the various brands owned by PokerStars’ parent company, Flutter Entertainment. In recent years, PokerStars has exited several markets, which has reduced overall liquidity and weakened tournament fields.
Lappin pointed to the loss of ring-fenced European markets, the withdrawal from the United States, and the exit from Australia as key contributors to poker’s fragmentation. He noted that differing regulatory systems and tax frameworks have made operations increasingly complex for PokerStars.
According to Lappin, the PSN marks an early step toward changes that could benefit UK-based players specifically, potentially bringing increased liquidity and larger tournament guarantees. He explained that a bigger player base could translate into fuller tables, shorter waiting times, and a broader range of stakes.
Rather than being an entirely new concept, the PSN functions as a flexible framework allowing Flutter-affiliated companies to pool liquidity even in regions where PokerStars itself doesn’t operate directly. Partners can join through white-label “Access” arrangements or by franchising the PokerStars brand, depending on local regulations and market conditions.
Lappin emphasized that liquidity remains the top priority for players, who consistently gravitate toward platforms offering the biggest games. He expressed optimism that the PSN could drive gradual growth in player numbers over the coming years, calling the initiative an important step toward reconnecting poker communities worldwide.
