600 online jobs in limbo as poker site loses its licence
AROUND 600 jobs were left hanging in the balance last night after authorities suspended the gambling licence of Full Tilt Poker, an online poker site.
The jobs are at Pocket Kings, a Dublin-based company that provides IT and other services to online gaming websites.
Full Tilt, had its gambling licence suspended yesterday by authorities on the tiny Channel Island of Alderney.
The move left workers at the US-owned Pocket Kings in Loughlinstown, Co Dublin, fearing for their jobs.
Pocket Kings has 600 Dublin employees in IT, languages, marketing and business support. It was not available for comment last night.
Profits
Accounts filed with the Irish Companies Office reveal Pocket Kings generated turnover of €125m last year, up from €45m in 2009. Annual profits were €12m last year, bringing retained profits to €24m.
In April, US authorities temporarily shut down Full Tilt and two other rivals' websites, accusing them of illegal gambling, bank fraud, and money laundering. Yesterday, Alderney's Gambling Control Commission issued hearing notices for four companies that collectively trade as Full Tilt Poker.
They said a hearing would take place on July 26 in London, and suspended the gambling licence with immediate effect, pending the outcome. It leaves Irish workers in limbo.
The Channel Island authority said it launched a special investigation following the US move in April and took last night's action based on its findings.
- Donal O'Donovan
Irish Independent
