PokerStars Purchases Cara de Poker

Ahead of the expected Spanish regulations in 2012, PokerStars has purchased Cara de Poker. With this acquisition, all players who visit the Cara de Poker website will find that their VIP points and funds have been transferred to PokerStars.
All Cara de Poker points will be converted to PokerStars FPPs. Along with this, many accounts will be granted PlatinumStar status based on recent performance.
With this change, PokerStars will have an easier time entering the newly regulated Spanish market.
According to the company’s website, “[Beginning next year] only license holders will be permitted to offer poker games and tournaments to Spanish players, significantly reducing the number of games available.”
The statement went on to add, “Only the largest room in the world and in Spain will be able to offer the number of cash tables and tournaments needed to provide a superior experience.”
Cara de Poker was previously managed by Spanish owners, first powered by Entraction and then onto the iPoker platform. With its focus entirely on the Spanish market, it only made sense that the company “sell out” to PokerStars due to the new regulations that are sure to hit sometime early next year.
PokerStars is in good position to capitalize, as long as it receives a license (which is expected) as the new regulations are put into place. The company already owns roughly half of the international online poker market. This includes a large contingency of players in Italy and France.
New gaming regulations in 2012, combined with the purchase of Cara de Poker, has positioned PokerStars for future success in the Spanish market.
What do you think about PokerStars making a strong push into the Spanish market? Will the company have as much success in this country as they have had in others? Discuss this in our Spanish Casino Affiliate Forums.