ne operators PokerStars have been locked out of the New Jersey online gaming market after owners Rational Group had their licence application suspended for two years.

Garden State regulators the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) have declared that the firm’s application will not be reviewed during the period primarily due to the unresolved 2011 federal indictment against Stars founder Isai Scheinberg for allegedly violating the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and the Illegal Gambling Business Act. The “involvement of certain PokerStars executives” with post-UIGEA US online gaming was also revealed to be a factor.

The DGE did however state that the application could be reactivated within the two years if “significantly changed circumstances” were demonstrated.

Rational Group said they were “disappointed” with the decision but would remain in “open dialogue” with the DGE.

The firm had been seeking to enter New Jersey via their partnership with Atlantic City land-based casino Resorts Casino Hotel.