End of an Era: PartyPoker Bows Out, Joins iPoker

For over two decades, PartyPoker has been a recognizable name in the online poker industry, carving out its own space as a strong competitor against global networks. But as of September 2, 2025, the company has officially closed its European network and completed a full migration to iPoker.

This strategic shift marks the end of PartyPoker’s once-ambitious Southern European network, consolidating its operations under the iPoker Europe umbrella.

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The Transition: From Independence to Integration

On Tuesday, September 2, players from both PartyPoker and bwin (two major brands under Entain) were prompted to download a brand-new client. While the logos, branding, and look remain the same, the software beneath has changed—players are now fully integrated into the iPoker Europe network, which already connects regulated markets in France and Spain.

Notably, the migration places PartyPoker and bwin alongside several other operators as “skins” on the iPoker platform, creating a unified player pool while retaining brand-specific marketing and promotions.

A Gradual Wind-Down

The closure did not come out of nowhere. Earlier this year, in January, PMU Poker, a long-time partner of PartyPoker, had already completed its migration to iPoker. This was the first clear indication that PartyPoker’s European operations were heading toward consolidation.

By late August, communications confirmed the inevitable: the last two remaining brands on the network—PartyPoker and bwin—would shut down their proprietary servers and join iPoker. Players were advised to uninstall their old software, as support was ending immediately.

Despite the magnitude of the change, the transition appears to have gone smoothly across both desktop and mobile platforms, with no major disruptions reported.

Tournament Boost: iPoker Celebrates the Migration

To celebrate the influx of new players, iPoker Europe is rolling out a €1 million guaranteed tournament series. Spanning 235 events between September 7 and 17, this festival is open to all players on the network across both France and Spain.

With enticing guarantees, the series aims to highlight the benefits of the merger—bigger prize pools, deeper fields, and increased liquidity. For recreational players and grinders alike, the transition brings more variety and stronger competition.

Why the Move Matters

PartyPoker’s exit from Europe’s segregated market signals the end of an era. Once a dominant global operator, PartyPoker struggled to keep pace with technological upgrades and liquidity demands. In contrast, iPoker’s shared liquidity model and established infrastructure offered long-term stability.

By joining forces, both PartyPoker and bwin secure a stronger foothold in tightly regulated European jurisdictions, while iPoker gains brand prestige and an influx of players.

For the industry at large, the move is seen as a pragmatic consolidation rather than a defeat. In an era where regulations tighten and player bases fragment, pooling liquidity is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity.

Looking Ahead: What Players Can Expect

Though PartyPoker’s independent network is gone, players still benefit from familiar branding, loyalty programs, and promotions. However, their actual gameplay experience—software features, table selection, and opponents—will now mirror that of iPoker.

The immediate future promises:

• More tournaments: thanks to larger liquidity.
• Enhanced prize pools: through shared traffic.
• Streamlined client updates: with iPoker’s ongoing software upgrades.

Still, some long-time PartyPoker loyalists may feel nostalgic about the loss of the standalone network that once carried the brand’s European ambitions.

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Conclusion

The closure of the PartyPoker European network is both a sentimental farewell and a forward-looking step. While the PartyPoker brand remains alive, its independent infrastructure is now part of history. For players in France and Spain, the transition to iPoker promises more opportunities, stronger competition, and a robust future.

The poker landscape continues to evolve, and this merger reinforces the trend: collaboration over isolation, liquidity over independence.

PartyPoker may have ended an era, but for players, the real game is only getting bigger. Follow Betterpokernews for more updates.