PokerStars Communications Chief Eric Hollreiser

Eric Hollreiser, corporate communications head at online gaming giant PokerStars, joins the Echo Chamber to discuss the various twists and turns that have defined the company's recent history, starting with 'Black Friday' in 2011, when the US Department of Justice issued indictments that effectively suspended the three largest online poker websites. After withdrawing from the US, PokerStars concluded a $731m settlement with the DoJ, which included the acquisition of rival Full Tilt Poker and the relaunch of the business in 2012. PokerStars was then acquired by Amaya Gaming in 2014, before the latter company's CEO was charged in Canada's biggest-ever insider trading investigation. Hollreiser details the ups and downs of the various communications issues related to these events; since this podcast was recorded, meanwhile, news of a £5bn merger between William Hill and Amaya has emerged.