The Stars Group

Corporate brand

Canadian online gaming and gambling company that operated PokerStars and other poker, casino, and sports-betting brands before being acquired by Flutter Entertainment.

Last updated August 22, 2026

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Overview

The Stars Group Inc. was a Canadian online gaming and gambling company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. It became one of the largest publicly traded online gambling businesses in the world after acquiring the parent company of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker in 2014. The business was previously known as Amaya Inc. and Amaya Gaming Group Inc.; the name The Stars Group was adopted in 2017 to reflect the importance of its international consumer brands. The company's activities covered online poker, casino gaming, sports betting, and related digital entertainment. Its best-known brands included PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, BetStars, and Fox Bet. PokerStars was the central consumer franchise, offering real-money and free-to-play poker in approved markets, while the wider portfolio expanded into online casino and sports wagering. The group also operated through Stars Interactive, its online gaming division, which had a major presence in Onchan on the Isle of Man. Depending on the market, the company operated under local licences, regulatory approvals, or multi-jurisdictional licences associated with Malta or the Isle of Man. The company's decisive transformation occurred in 2014. Under chief executive David Baazov, Amaya agreed to acquire the parent company of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker from the Scheinberg family for approximately US$4.9 billion. The transaction was financed in part through substantial borrowing and closed on August 1, 2014. The acquisition converted Amaya from a smaller gaming-technology business into an international consumer gambling operator and made it, at that time, the world's largest publicly listed online gambling company by scale. The period after the acquisition also brought significant governance and legal challenges. Baazov took an indefinite leave of absence in March 2016 after Canadian securities-related charges were brought against him and later resigned as chief executive in August of that year. Rafi Ashkenazi became interim chief executive in March 2016 and permanent chief executive in November 2016. A Quebec court stayed the proceedings against Baazov in June 2018, preventing the case from proceeding to adjudication. Separately, a large Kentucky judgment concerning PokerStars activity was overturned by the Kentucky Court of Appeals in 2018. The Stars Group pursued further geographic and product expansion. It acquired Sky Betting & Gaming in 2018, adding a substantial United Kingdom-focused sports-betting and gaming operation. It also acquired control of the Australian online betting business CrownBet, later known as BetEasy, and completed the acquisition of BetEasy in December 2019. In the United States, the company formed a strategic partnership with Fox Sports in 2019 to develop the Fox Bet sports-betting brand. Fox Corporation also acquired a minority interest in The Stars Group and received rights connected with a possible future interest in the group's United States operations. In October 2019, Flutter Entertainment announced an agreement to acquire The Stars Group in an all-share transaction valued at approximately US$6 billion. The combination was completed on May 5, 2020. Following the transaction, The Stars Group ceased to operate as an independent publicly listed corporate group, while several of its consumer brands and operations continued within Flutter Entertainment.

History

The Stars Group developed from Amaya Gaming Group, a Canadian gaming-technology company that later became a major online gambling operator. Before its transformation, the business operated under the Amaya name and was associated with gaming software, casino technology, and other services. Its most important strategic shift came in June 2014, when Amaya agreed to purchase the parent company of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker from Isai and Mark Scheinberg. The deal was valued at approximately US$4.9 billion and was supported by about US$3 billion in borrowing. It closed on August 1, 2014, with the final payment completed in May 2017. The acquisition gave Amaya ownership of two of the best-known online poker brands and immediately enlarged its international operating footprint. PokerStars had established an office in Onchan on the Isle of Man in 2005, and the company's online division, Stars Interactive, was headquartered there. The group subsequently offered poker, casino, and sports-betting products in Europe, North America, Australia, and other approved markets. It reported holding licences or related approvals in 17 jurisdictions, using local authorisations or multi-jurisdictional permissions connected with Malta and the Isle of Man where applicable. The acquisition also created governance and regulatory pressure. David Baazov, who had been Amaya's chief executive during the PokerStars transaction, took an indefinite leave of absence in March 2016 after Canadian securities regulators brought multiple securities-fraud-related charges. He resigned in August 2016. Rafi Ashkenazi became interim chief executive in March 2016 and was appointed permanent chief executive in November. In December 2016, Baazov abandoned a proposal to acquire the company with a group of outside investors. The legal proceedings against him continued until the Court of Quebec stayed them in June 2018. A stay prevented the court from adjudicating the matter. The group also faced litigation linked to PokerStars' earlier US activity. In December 2015, a Kentucky court entered an approximately US$870 million judgment concerning alleged losses by state residents who had played real-money poker on PokerStars between 2006 and 2011. In December 2018, the Kentucky Court of Appeals overturned that judgment, finding that the state lacked standing to pursue the damages claim under the relevant Loss Recovery Act. On August 1, 2017, Amaya changed its corporate name to The Stars Group Inc. The new identity placed greater emphasis on its consumer brands, particularly PokerStars, rather than on its former technology-company heritage. Expansion continued through acquisitions. In April 2018, the group acquired Sky Betting & Gaming, strengthening its position in United Kingdom-focused sports betting and online gaming. It also acquired a majority stake in CrownBet from Crown Resorts in 2018; the Australian business was subsequently known as BetEasy, and the acquisition of BetEasy was completed in December 2019. The Stars Group entered the US sports-betting market through a 2019 partnership with Fox Sports. The resulting Fox Bet proposition combined free-to-play and real-money betting ambitions under a major US sports-media brand, subject to state legality and regulatory approval. Fox Corporation acquired a 4.99% interest in The Stars Group for approximately US$236 million and received an option connected with a possible larger interest in the group's US operations. In October 2019, Flutter Entertainment announced an agreement to acquire The Stars Group for approximately US$6 billion. The transaction closed on May 5, 2020. The Stars Group was absorbed into Flutter Entertainment and ceased to exist as an independent publicly traded company, although brands such as PokerStars continued within Flutter's broader portfolio.

2020
Acquisition by Flutter Entertainment completed
[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
Flutter Entertainment completed its acquisition of The Stars Group on May 5.
2019
Fox Bet partnership announced
[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
The Stars Group and Fox Sports announced a partnership to develop betting products for the US market.
2018
Sky Betting & Gaming acquisition
[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
The Stars Group acquired Sky Betting & Gaming, expanding its UK-facing sports-betting and gaming operations.
2017
Amaya adopts The Stars Group name
[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
The company changed its name to The Stars Group Inc. on August 1.
2016
Rafi Ashkenazi becomes interim chief executive
[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
Rafi Ashkenazi became interim chief executive after David Baazov took leave.
2016
Rafi Ashkenazi becomes permanent chief executive
[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
Ashkenazi was appointed permanent chief executive in November.
2014
Amaya agrees to acquire PokerStars parent
[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
Amaya agreed to acquire the parent company of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker for approximately US$4.9 billion.
2014
PokerStars acquisition closes
[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition closed on August 1, transforming Amaya into a major international online gambling operator.
2005
PokerStars establishes an Isle of Man office
[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
PokerStars established an office in Onchan, Isle of Man, which later became the base of Stars Interactive.

Products and positioning

An international, multi-product online gambling group built around major poker, casino, and sports-betting brands.

Online poker
PokerStars
PokerStars was the group's principal online poker brand and one of its most important consumer assets. It offered online poker products in markets where the operator held an applicable licence or approval, alongside associated promotional and tournament activity. The brand formed the foundation of The Stars Group's international expansion after the 2014 acquisition.
Online poker
Full Tilt Poker
Full Tilt Poker was an established online poker brand acquired together with PokerStars' parent company in 2014. It broadened The Stars Group's poker portfolio and contributed technology, customer relationships, and brand recognition in the online poker sector.
Sports betting
BetStars
BetStars was the group's sports-betting brand, extending the PokerStars ecosystem into wagering on sporting events. Its availability depended on the regulatory framework and licensing arrangements in individual markets.
Sports betting and free-to-play gaming · 2019
Fox Bet
Fox Bet was developed through the group's partnership with Fox Sports. The proposition was designed to combine sports-media distribution with free-to-play and real-money betting products in US jurisdictions where online wagering was permitted.
Sports betting and online gaming
Sky Betting & Gaming
Sky Betting & Gaming was a UK-focused online betting and gaming business acquired by The Stars Group in 2018. The transaction added a substantial regional platform spanning sports betting and digital casino products.
Sports betting
BetEasy
BetEasy was the Australian online sports-betting business formerly associated with CrownBet. The Stars Group acquired a majority stake in the business from Crown Resorts and completed its acquisition of BetEasy in 2019.

Controversies

2016
Securities-related proceedings involving David Baazov
David Baazov took leave and later resigned as chief executive after Canadian regulators brought securities-related charges against him. The Court of Quebec stayed the proceedings in 2018, preventing adjudication of the case.
Source
2015
Kentucky PokerStars litigation
A Kentucky court entered an approximately US$870 million judgment related to alleged losses by residents who played real-money poker on PokerStars between 2006 and 2011. The Kentucky Court of Appeals overturned the judgment in 2018 on standing grounds.
Source

2019Fox Bet partnership
United States
The Stars Group partnered with Fox Sports to develop a co-branded sports-betting platform, including free-to-play and real-money products where permitted by law.
Outcome. The partnership formed part of the group's US market strategy and continued into the subsequent Flutter transaction.
Source

Brand decisions

2019
Enter a US sports-betting partnership with FoxStrategy
Background
The group aimed to establish a consumer sports-betting proposition in the developing US regulated wagering market.
Action taken
The Stars Group partnered with Fox Sports to develop Fox Bet and related free-to-play and real-money products.
Aftermath
Fox Corporation acquired a 4.99% interest in The Stars Group and received rights relating to a potential future interest in the US business.
Fox Corporation investment. Approximately US$236 million for a 4.99% stake (2019)
Source
2019
Agree to be acquired by Flutter EntertainmentM&A
Background
The Stars Group and Flutter Entertainment pursued a combination intended to create a larger international online gambling group.
Action taken
Flutter announced an agreement to acquire The Stars Group in October 2019.
Aftermath
The transaction closed in May 2020 and The Stars Group ceased to be an independent listed company.
Transaction value. Approximately US$6 billion (2019 announcement)
Source
2018
Acquire Sky Betting & GamingM&A
Background
The Stars Group pursued geographic and product diversification beyond online poker.
Action taken
The group acquired Sky Betting & Gaming in a cash-and-stock transaction.
Aftermath
The acquisition strengthened the group's position in UK-focused sports betting and online gaming.
Transaction value. Approximately US$4.7 billion (2018)
Source
2017
Rename Amaya as The Stars GroupStrategy
Background
After acquiring PokerStars and related brands, the company sought a corporate identity more closely connected with its consumer-facing portfolio.
Action taken
Amaya changed its corporate name to The Stars Group Inc. on August 1.
Aftermath
The renamed group emphasized PokerStars and its wider collection of online gambling brands.
Source
2014
Acquire the parent company of PokerStars and Full Tilt PokerM&A
Background
Amaya sought to move from a gaming-technology business into a large international consumer gambling operator.
Action taken
The company agreed to a transaction valued at approximately US$4.9 billion, financed partly through borrowing.
Aftermath
The acquisition made Amaya one of the world's largest publicly listed online gambling companies.
Transaction value. Approximately US$4.9 billion (2014)
Source

Recent events

2020
Flutter completes acquisition of The Stars Group[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Flutter Entertainment completed its acquisition of The Stars Group, ending the latter's existence as an independent listed company.
2019
The Stars Group partners with Fox Sports on Fox Bet[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
Campaign · Product launch
The companies announced a partnership to develop free-to-play and real-money sports-betting products under the Fox Bet name in jurisdictions where such gambling was legal.
2019
Flutter Entertainment announces acquisition of The Stars Group[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Flutter Entertainment announced an agreement to acquire The Stars Group in a transaction valued at approximately US$6 billion.
2018
Acquisition of Sky Betting & Gaming[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The Stars Group completed the acquisition of UK-focused Sky Betting & Gaming in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately US$4.7 billion.
2014
Amaya agrees to acquire PokerStars parent[1]The Stars Groupen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Amaya agreed to acquire the parent company of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker in a transaction valued at approximately US$4.9 billion.

Sources3 sources

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