PokerStars cancels rake rise

ne poker site PokerStars has reversed its decision to increase its rake.

Strategic changes were announced in October, which included a rake increase on heads-up hyper-turbo sit&go tournaments, with more changes being set to follow in 2015.

But the Canadian-owned operator has made a u-turn on the plans, with all previously announced rake increases being cancelled, with the exception of November’s changes to Spin&Go tables, which see rake rise to 6% for the $3 and $7 events and to 5% for the $15 and $30 events.

Eric Hollreiser, head of corporate communications for PokerStars and its parent company Amaya Gaming Group, wrote on the PokerStars blog: “After additional analysis and consideration, we have now returned the rake to pre-November 3 levels in most instances and have cancelled the planned additional increases.

“We will not increase any rake in 2015 other than in jurisdictions where we have already or will experience increased gaming duty or VAT.”