Full Tilt Poker website will relaunch in Europe

FullTiltPoker.com will relaunch in Europe on Nov. 6 after the company was licensed Tuesday by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.

A statement released by the Rational Group said Full Tilt Poker will reimburse $184 million to former Full Tilt Poker players who lost their money when the previous owners ceased operating the site in June 2011.

Rational Group, which also operates PokerStars, acquired Full Tilt Poker's assets in July following settlement of its criminal case with the U.S. Department of Justice. PokerStars agreed to pay the Justice Department a $731 million fine to settle charges stemming from the April 15, 2011, indictments of representative of PokerStars, Full Tilt and Absolute Poker.

Until the U.S. legalizes Internet poker, Americans will not be able to access the Full Tilt website.

PokerStars has operated under an Isle of Man gaming license since 2005.

Steve Brennan, chief executive officer of the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, said in a statement released by the Rational Group that Full Tilt's application was assessed and approved on its own merits. Full Tilt was granted the Isle of Man license following thorough scrutiny of the proposed operations by regulators.

"The Gambling Supervision Commission is confident that Full Tilt Poker will safeguard the interests of its players and adhere to the strict policies and procedures governing Isle of Man licensed gaming companies," Brennan said.