Poker News

Entraction Poker Renamed by IGT Poker

Nevadabased gaming manufacturer, International Gaming Technology, has announced that it has rebranded its recently acquired Entraction platform which will in future be known as the IGT Poker Network.

International Gaming Technology is aiming to attract leading online poker sites to the new IGT Poker Network.

In March, 2011, International Gaming Technology made headlines when it paid in excess of $115 million for the purchase of the Swedish online gambling company which proved that IGT was absolutely ready to make a huge impact in the online gambling world while only adhering to licensed and regulated markets.

Following the purchase of Entraction, International Gaming Technology immediately ceased offering online poker to citizens of several countries where online gaming is still seen as problematic, such asIsrael,Turkey,RussiaandNorway.

International Gaming Technology rolled out the newly rebranded IGT Poker Network at the ICE Totally Gaming expo that took place at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre inLondonbetween January 24 and January 26, 2012.

A press release with regard to Entraction Poker being renamed by International Gaming Technology read “This is the first show where we will be able to demonstrate the full range of products and services which our recent acquisition of Entraction has enabled us to do.”

All the Entraction products were shown under the International Gaming Technology brand and the attendees at the conference saw how IGT’s Poker Network is a serious and competitive alternative for existing poker operators.

International Gaming Technology also announced that it would pay $250 million in cash and a further $85 million in retention payments in order to purchase Double Down Interactive, which is the leading virtual casino operator on Facebook.  IGT has also undertaken to pay up to $165 million which will take the deal’s value up to $500 million, depending on Double Down’s performance and hopes to get a foothold in the social gaming industry through this deal.

Zynga to enter Real-Money Online Poker and Gambling Market

Zynga Inc. has announced that it is currently involved in negotiations with potential partners in order to enter the real-money online poker and gambling market.

Zynga was founded by Mark Pincus in July 2007 with a mission to transform the world through virtual social goods and is now responsible for social network games such as Zynga Poker and FarmVille.

Although the company is based in San Franciso, Zynga Poker is also hugely popular amongUKpoker players and is at present the biggest online poker game in the world.  There are at present seven million people playing Zynga Poker off social networking sites such as Facebook each and every day.

Zynga Poker is currently played with virtual money and the group is hoping to offer real-money poker games and tournaments by endeavoring to enter the world of online poker.

Zynga Inc.’s attempt to enter the world of online poker follows the US Department of Justice’s announcement that intrastate internet gambling is not a violation of federal law.

Although the state has not yet licensed any operator which may offer online poker services,Nevadais currently the onlyUSstate allowing online gambling in the form of poker.

Zynga Inc. issued a statement reading “We know from listening to our players that there’s an interest in the real money gambling market. We’re in active conversations with potential partners to better understand and explore this new opportunity.”

Despite the fact that Zynga Inc. is a brand name that is already familiar among millions of people, especially Facebook users, it is still very important for Zynga Inc. to form a partnership as the fact that it is a non-gambling company could limit its chances of becoming a leading license holder once the federal laws change in the country.

In order to reduce its dependence on the Facebook platform, Zynga is planning to develop an independent platform, Zynga Direct.

Lock Poker Signs Melanie “Callisto” Weisner

Lock Poker has announced that it has added Texan native Melanie “Callisto” Weisner, to its prestigious LockPRO ELITE team.

Lock Poker, long considered a rising star in the world of online poker, has revealed that 25 year old Melanie has worked her way up the online poker tournament tables from scratch and now specializes in MTTs and heads-up sit ‘n’ gos on the virtual felt.   Over and above her live earnings, Melanie has already accumulated over $1.2 million in online tournament winnings.

A former musical theatre student at NYU, Melanie started realizing her potential at online poker rooms after discovering the game through her younger brother’s success online and then focused on heads up poker, which became her specialty due to the large number of hands that she was able to play with.

Today, Melanie “Castillo” Weisner is known as an online poker professional and one of the industry’s most respected heads up players.  Her biggest online achievement has been receiving number one ranking for heads up sit and go tournaments players across all ranked sites.

Melanie has had a huge number of deep runs in live major events around the world with five cashes in last year’s World Series of Online Poker and an increasing number of European Poker Tour Ladies Event titles.  The Global Poker Index which ranks the top 300 live tournament players around the globe today has ranked Melanie at #84.

Jennifer Larson, Chief Executive Officer and owner of Lock Poker said “Melanie is a perfect fit for Lock. She is passionate, relentless in her dedication to the game and incredibly intelligent. Players like Melanie give us the true insight into the product and player experience that we need to become the best. Partnering with our players is the true path to greatness.”

Melanie revealed that she is excited to be joining a team of world-class players and talented peers such as Matt Stout, Leo Margets and Chris Moorman and is looking forward to representing Lock around the world.

Lock is the world’s most innovative online gaming brand and continues to bring a fresh perspective to this exciting industry.

UK Full Tilt Online Poker Players advised to Call Police

British online players of Full Tilt Poker who believe that they may be a victim of crime have been advised by regulators to report the matter to the police.

The Alderney Gaming Control Commission (AGCC) was forced to revoke Full Tilt’s license in September, 2011, after more than a week of hearings which were held behind closed doors.  This was as a result of Full Tilt’s numerous violations and the fact that it had fundamentally misled the AGCC about their operational integrity.

The Alderney Gaming Control Commission recently released a statement saying that at the request of the police, it will “continue to log incoming player complaints” and will make all records available to the authorities.

The AGCC has, however, advised players that it does not have the authority to “intermediate or arbitrate on player issues or disputes with Full Tilt” any longer.  All players who have not had money due to them returned by Full Tilt Poker are therefore required to contact their local police  where all the reports will be coordinated centrally.

Full Tilt’s players have been given the following options on the Commission’s website.

“1. Full Tilt has been requested to provide a specific player contact: this is awaited and will be incorporated here upon receipt.

2. Any player who believes they are a victim of crime, as a result of their dealings with Full Tilt, should in the first instance contact their own local police in their country of residence and report the matter to them. These reports will then be coordinated centrally.

3. It is understood that a number of civil actions have been initiated by players against Full Tilt, some as class actions representing multiple players by UK, US and Canadian lawyers. Details of the firms concerned can be found through internet search.”

It is hoped that should the deal between French investor Groupe Bernard Tapie and the US Department of Justice go ahead allowing them to acquire Full Tilt for $80 million, then theUSauthorities will dismiss all civil complaints.  It is hoped that all players will then be repaid shortly after that.

Belgium Approval given to Online Poker Sites

PokerStars.be is one of three online poker sites to be given approval by the Belgian Government to offer their real money services to gamblers.  Any unauthorized sites will be blocked by the country’s ISP’S in accordance with the new gambling laws inBelgium.

AfterBelgiummade its plans to regulate the online gambling market public, PokerStars, the world’s largest poker site, signed a partnership with Circus Groupe, which includes Namur Casino, making it possible for both companies to offer online poker under the regulation of the Belgian Gaming Commission.  This resulted in Poker Stars meeting the conditions set by the Belgian Gaming Commission and being granted approval this week.

Joining forces with Circus Groupe enabled PokerStars to work with a licensed partner inBelgiumwith lots of experience in land-based poker while the Namur Casino will be in a position to offer the Belgian market the most successful online poker platform.

The other two sites that received approval to operate are Partouche.be and Casiono77.com.

In accordance withBelgium’s new Gambling Act, only approved sites are entitled to offer real-money online poker and the country’s largest internet service providers have been ordered to block all other unauthorized sites.

Online poker sites such as Party Poker and the iPoker network have criticized the Belgian Gaming Act and referred to it as “unenforceable” until such time that taxation regime issues have been resolved.

Sander Siezen, marketing manager for PokerStars in theBelgium,Netherlandsand Luxembourgh region, stated that PokerStars.com and the Circus Groupe are logical partners with CasinoDeNamur.be, having the largest live poker events offering inBelgium.  He added that Poker Stars is also the world’s largest poker site, organizing the largest live poker series, the EPT.

The new regulations that came into effect on January 1^st inBelgium have not clarified the issue of taxation on winnings, leaving many players wondering exactly how much they will be required to pay the government if they hit a windfall.

Players can Win Big in Party Poker Winter Million

Party Poker has announced that it will be hosting one of the biggest online tournaments of 2012 this February.

Players will have an opportunity to start their new year in style with Party Poker’s Winter Million as the poker room will be guaranteeing a $1 million prize pool that will offer life-changing prizes.

The Winter Million tournament is due to take place at Party Poker on Sunday, February, 5, 2012 and will be played in a championship format with a buy-in of $600+$40.

Party Poker has already begun offering qualifiers from as little as $1 as it is hoping to get as many of their players as possible to participate in this great $1 million event.

The online poker room, which is currently one of the three largest poker rooms, has also announced that all its multi-table tournaments will be “rake free” starting at the stoke of midnight (ET) on New Year’s Day for the entire month of January, 2012.  This will result in 100% of players’ money going directly into the prize pool without any fees being paid across the entire multi-table tournament schedule.

Party Poker is also offering its players an opportunity to cash in on a very generous reload bonus as well as a $50,000 free-roll this January.

Existing players wishing to receive this reload bonus of $100 up to $100 are required to deposit at least $50 during January, 2012, using the bonus code ‘RAKEFREE”.

Players using the bonus code “RAKEFREE” and making the minimum reload deposit will also have a chance to participate in the huge value $50,000 “Depositors’ Free-roll” which is due to take place at Party Poker on Sunday February 5, 2012 at 1100 ET.

Party Poker offers new players different welcome bonus options such as a $25 free bonus with their first deposit by using BONUS CODE: 0PR25 or 20% up to $100 with their first deposit by using BONUS CODE; OPR100.

Denmark Awards Online Poker Licenses

The Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) has announced a list of operators that have been awarded licenses to operate online poker services in the country from January 1^st, 2012.

Some of the top names in the online poker industry, including 888, Party Poker, Poker Stars (under the name Reel Denmark Limited, Red Club Poker, Entraction, Betfair, PKR, Ladbrokes and Unibet are included in the list of thirty eight licenses awarded by the Danish government.   Scandic Bookmakers and Bet32 were also listed among other Ongame skins.

All in all,Denmarkhas awarded 55 licenses to 38 online poker operators.

Minister for Taxes in Denmark, Thor Moger Pederson, revealed that as from January 1^st, 2012, the gambling market will be orderly and that they will ensure that holders of a betting and online casino license to operate on the Danish market will also contribute to the society.

In terms of the orderly market, any online gambling or poker operators who are caught offering their services to Danish players without a license after January 1^st, 2012, are liable to have their website blocked byDenmark’s Gambling Authority and risk their payments being seized.

The Danish Tax and Customs Administration issued a press release in which Pederson was quoted as saying that the new and open gambling market inDenmarkhas been underway since the Parliament’s decision in 2010.

Pederson added that “On Tuesday next week, the Danish Gambling Authority will hold an information session for the new license holders to inform them about upcoming activities on the gambling scene.  License holders will, among other things, be briefed on how the Danish Gambling Authority will monitor the Danish gambling market and how the Danish Gambling Authority will cooperate with gambling authorities in other countries.”

More than 180 “dot.dk” domain names will be permitted to offer online gaming to Danish customers with operators paying a 25% tax on gross profits.

It will be necessary for Danish residents to undergo a verification procedure before playing.

Sam Holden Wins Late Night Poker

Sam Holden, the 22 year old Team 888poker Ambassador has managed to take down the prestigious 2011 series of Late Night Poker TV Show.  This win comes shortly after Sam, who hails from Canterburyin Great Britain, coming of an 8^th place finish in the 2011 World Series of Poker Main Event when he won a whopping $782,115.

Viewers who watched the series on UK Channel 4 saw 32 players competing for a cash prize of $150,000 as well as the much sought-after Late Night Poker trophy. Padraig Parkinson, the former Late Night Poker Champion and quite a number of other world-class players also participated in the Late Night Poker TV Show.

Sam gave a spectacular performance in the series, taking down his heat in an intense style with $50,000 chips and a guaranteed seat at the final table.  The young Brit then managed to make it to a heads up match against Luke Schwartz with a strong chip lead advantage.

After being dealt AJ against Sam’s KW, Luke’s chip stack went all in pre-flop.  Sam called and a 9.10 and J on the turn gave him his winning straight to win the Late Night Poker TV Show.

This win makes Sam Holden the 10^th champion of the Late Night Poker and one of the youngest players ever to win the trophy. 

Sam has managed to bring a spot light on British poker by being named the “Last Brit Standing” in the World Series of Poker November Nine and his latest win of the long running UK Late Night Poker.

Sam will be joining several of the other Team 888poker ambassadors and online qualifiers at the 2012 World Poker Tour inDublinin January 2012, as well as at the 2012 Aussie Millions which is the second largest poker tournament in the world.

888poker.com is a leading online poker brand that hosts thousands of poker enthusiasts all over the world at any given time.

24 Poker has License Suspended by Kahnawake Gaming Commission

The Micrigaming Poker Network’s sudden announcement last week when it revealed that the Canadian based Kanhawake Gaming Commission regulatory authority had revoked 24 Poker’s gaming license on November 24, 2011, took many online poker players by surprise.

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission took the action to take the 24 Poker site offline as a result of the many complaints received from both players as well as the authorities with regard to the online poker site’s lack of response to inquiries from them.  The Gaming Commission has also revealed that it has issued a Show Cause Notice against 24 Poker giving the poker operator 30 days in which to respond.

In response to the Kahnawake Gaming Commission’s suspension of 24 Poker’s gaming license, Microgaming immediately issued a statement announcing that it had suspended the network on which its games were played and had blocked all game play on the 24 Poker website.  Microgaming’s statement also revealed that the Kahnawake Gaming Commission as well as Microgaming was unsuccessful in their numerous attempts to contact the 24 Poker management team.

24 Poker describes itself as an online poker room that offers state of the art online poker software, including reliable transaction systems and professional 24 – 7 customer support.    The poker room is operated by theStanley,CountyDurhamcompany BPR Services Limited in theUnited Kingdomand was granted a license by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission during 2004.  The online poker site has since then had a very good track record with its license due to expire at the end of January, 2012.

Neither the Kahnawake Gaming Commission or Microgaming have as yet been able to make contact directly with the 24 Poker management and ownership team and poker players who were hoping to receive some details with regard to the revocation of 24 Poker’s license are, therefore, still being left in the dark.

The scenario is very familiar to poker fans who, not long ago, experienced similar issues with Full Tilt Poker whose licenses to operate from both the AGCC in the British Channel Islands and with Kahnawake in Canada, were also suspended

“12 Paydays of Christmas” launches at PaddyPowerPoker.com

 PaddyPowerPoker.com is running the “12 Paydays of Christmas” promotion at the poker room this month during which time it will be awarding players with some great prizes that includes a Samsung Galaxy, an Xbos 360 Kinect pack and an Acer Netbook.  Players are also offered an opportunity to win an amount of $3,000 in cold cash.

Those players wishing to participate in this great promotion that will commence on Wednesday, 30^th November and continue until Friday, 23^rd December, are required to opt in.  There are 12 Poker Challenges taking place during the period of the promotion which will be followed by 12 Christmas Free-rolls which will each offer one amazing prize and $250 cash in the pot.

Players will be offered a different challenge every other day and entry into the Christmas Free-roll the following day will be granted to them once that challenge is met.

Entry into a final Christmas Free-roll which is due to take place on Friday, 6^th January, 2012, will be granted to those players who have completed 10 or more challenges.  There will be a massive $2,000 added to the pot of this final Christmas Free-roll.

Communications Manager for PaddyPowerPoker.com said “Christmas is just around the corner so we’ve decided it’s time to put on our Santa hat. Who wants a partridge in a pear tree when you can get your hands on an Xbox, iPod, Wii, Camera and much more on PaddyPowerPoker.com. Just log on each day, complete the challenge and you’ll automatically qualify for the following day’s Free-roll with great prizes. Happy Christmas from all of us atPaddyTowers”.

PaddyPowerPoker.com was launched in February 2005 and has since then taken the poker world by storm with it’s sponsorship of the Irish Poker Open.  The online poker room offers players the opportunity to win over $3 million each month in their free to enter and guaranteed tournaments.