Ring-fenced player pool
An online poker market whose players can only play against each other, because the regulator forbids sharing tables with other jurisdictions. Ontario, most US states, France, Italy and Spain are ring-fenced; 'shared liquidity' agreements such as the US multi-state compact are the partial fix.
Frequently asked questions
What is a ring-fenced player pool?
A regulatory arrangement in which a licensed operator may only seat players from that one jurisdiction, rather than combining them with its international pool. The licence, not the operator, decides.
What does ring-fencing do to the games?
It shrinks them. Fewer players means fewer tables running, smaller guarantees, thinner late-night traffic and a higher concentration of regulars. The upside for players is local licensing, local consumer protection and local dispute resolution.
Which markets are ring-fenced?
Several European regulated markets have operated this way, and some have since signed liquidity-sharing agreements with each other; US online poker is regulated state by state, with a compact linking some states. Because arrangements change, check the current position for the specific market — our market pages set out what applies where.