Partouche to withdraw from online French market

French operator Groupe Partouche will be withdrawing its online interests in the French market.

In a player communication Wednesday, Partouche informed that its partouche.fr site would close its virtual doors on June 17, 2013 citing a difficult market and tax environment as the cause.

Groupe Partouche has reportedly requested a repeal of its licence from French regulator ARJEL along with a meeting to discuss the closure of around 3000 player accounts or their migration to partner site MyPok.fr.

A communication on partouche.fr reads:

“The Partouche.fr website closes its doors on June 17, 2013. Join our partner MyPok and find your game world.

“For almost three years, we have strived to offer you the best online poker. We thank all the players, communities, and partners who have remained faithful to the proposal Groupe Partouche offers.

“As of June 17, 2013, Partouche.fr ceases its activity, but all players will continue to play in the Partouche Universe when joining gaming site MyPok.fr.”

Our readers will recall chief Patrick Partouche impulsively cancelling the Partouche Poker Tour last year following a dispute on the amount and terms of the guaranteed prize pool of the tournament running at the time.

Industry observers surmise the decision to close the operation may be tied to a television programme on Canal+ earlier in the week that alleged Partouche relatives were gifted thousand of Euros to play on the site, a violation of French gaming regulations that Patrick Partouche openly showed little respect for in the past.

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