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PKR.com releases New Features

PKR.com, the popular three-dimensional online poker domain has announced the release of an update to its dernier cri software.  The new update features several new innovations which are designed to appeal to all players, no matter what their levels of skill and experience is.

PKR.com’s new update includes the long awaited improvement to multi tabling – Multi Windows. This new feature will enable players to open up to nine separate real money table windows that will give them an opportunity to resize, tile and rearrange up to nine concurrent windows in order to suit their preference.  Players will also find more casino game and mini game windows.   All these multi-table options can be found by players in the top right of their table screen.

PKR.com has also included a tableside virtual drinks option and players will now have a chance to sip from pints of lager to tequila shots and Mojitos, which can be purchased by players and others at their table by using PKR Points.  Those players who do not have sufficient PKR Points are given an opportunity to purchase Points bundles in exchange for real money through the cashier without the necessity of leaving the table.

Players are also being offered a “luxury yacht” environment that will enable poker players to compete against each other from aboard a “glamorous” vessel which is moored in an idyllic exotic location.

PKR.com is also trying out a new quickplay system that allows players to get to their favorite game types in as few clicks as possible as well as a beta release of a hand reply tool that will enable competitors to record hands before they post them on YouTube.

Chief Operating Officer for PKR.COM, Leon Walters, stated that he is confident that PKR.com players all over the world will find something that they like in this latest release.

Walters added “Hardcore multi-tablers will appreciate the new multiple windows feature that makes it easier to multi-table than ever before. Those who enjoy a more social poker experience will love the ability to buy drinks for themselves and their friends while we’re hugely excited about our hand replay tool beta.”

Poker News –Online Poker Site launched by APAT

The popular Amateur Poker Association & Tour (APAT) has announced that, after years of running their online poker leagues across numerous sites including William Hill, 888poker, Betfair and PokerStars, they are now stepping into the online poker world and have acquired Poker.co.uk.

Managing Director of the Amateur Poker Association & Tour, Des Duffy, said that they are very excited that APAT has added an online poker room to their product range and that they are looking forward to delivering the same high quality online poker to their customers as they have been doing in the casino environment since the year 2006.

Although players can already download the software they will still be seeing the old Poker.co.uk branding until later in the year after which they will see the APAT images and table felt.

APAT has issued a press release where it was revealed that satellites and direct entry to its Live and Online Championships as well as the National Online League and the inaugural National Online Cup will be hosted on their new site.

Although APAT’s penetration into the online poker world has been long overdue, Poker.co.uk and APAT will be part of the International Poker Network (IPN) which is also known as the Boss network.

It has been revealed that approximately half of the Boss network’s traffic was lost over the past six months and that there has been a seven day average of only 510 cash players at the site.  This is partly due to the fact that its software has not been rated very well and despite the fact that the software is functional, most players today require the software to be more than just serviceable.

According to Karl Mahrenholz, a poker player and co-owner of Poker Encore on the iPoker Network, APAT’S move into the online poker room will make it much more independent and he is certain that a huge section of their loyal 50,000 members will support the move.  However, Mahrenholz is puzzled by the fact that a great organization like APAT is joining a network that has lost so much of its popularity.

Full Tilt Poker CEO Released on Bail

Chief Executive Officer of Full Tilt Poker, Ray Bitar, was released on bail on Monday evening and was making his way home toGlendora,California, for the first time in over a year.  This follows an agreement that was reached between Bitar’s attorneys and prosecutors and signed by Federal Judge Paul Engelmayer.  Prosecutors were originally against granting bail to Bitar as they argued that he could flee the country due to the serious charges against him.

In accordance with the terms of the bail, Bitar will be monitored electronically by the feds and post a $2.5 million personal recognizance bond and will also add a warehouse owned by him to the cash and property being pledged.  Bitar’s bail commitments were backed by five people who are evidently close to him.

Bitar was made to remain in theNew Yorkarea for 48 hours after the bail was granted in order for him to disclose all the assets which are held by him in theU.S.as well as abroad to federal prosecutors.

Bail was granted to Bitar a week after he was arrested upon his arrival atJohnF.KennedyInternationalAirport.  He has been charged with running a Ponzi scheme and directing money from the online poker site to his own personal accounts.  Bitar is also accused of conspiring to lie to thousands ofU.S.players who still have their funds amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars tied up.  Should Bitar be convicted on all counts against him he faces up to 145 years in jail.  Bitar’s lawyers claim that he has spent the last couple of months inIrelandin an endeavor to find a solution for the company.

Bitar was instrumental in building Full Tilt Poker into one of the biggest online poker companies in the world by defying a claim by the Department of Justice that online poker violatedU.S.law.

Full Tilt Poker Tycoon Arrested

Just over a year after the Full Tilt internet address was seized and the business shut down, Ray Bitar, the gambling tycoon and chief executive of the Full Tilt group, who ran the second largest online poker site in the world, from servers inGuernsey, has surrendered to the FBI.

In April last year Full Tilt was charged with offering poker illegally in the US and it was later discovered that the group was running a Ponzi-style scheme with large amounts of money, which was meant to be in segregated players’ accounts, going missing.

Bitar was arrested when he landed at JFK airport a few days ago and now faces nine charges which include money laundering, bank fraud, wire fraud and running an illegal gambling business that resulted in Full Tilt being unable to pay approximately $350m to players all over the world including thousands in theUnited Kingdom.

The poker tycoon responded in a statement through his lawyers saying “I know that a lot of people are very angry at me. I understand why. Full Tilt should never have gotten into a position where it could not repay player funds.”  Bitar has pleaded not guilty and was granted bail after posting a $2.5m bond.

Full Tilt had been operating with a poker license from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.  It is claimed that Alderney, the remotestChannelIsland, transmits more egambling traffic than any other location in the world.

Gambling groups are keen to obtain anAlderneylicense as there is no corporation or gambling taxes.  Groups who target players in countries such as theUnited Kingdom, where online gambling is legal but tax rates are 15% are attracted toAlderneyin huge numbers.  However, most Alderney licensees operate from servers or banks in data centers on theislandofGuernsey. 

It is claimed that Full Tilt had “allegedly lied about its finances” to the Alderney Gaming Control Commission.

Microgaming Suspends 5050 Poker Ltd’s Game Play

Microgaming, one of the leading online casino software companies in the industry today, recently announced that its’ Poker Network had suspended all game play on the poker room of 5050 Poker Limited.

The company alleges that 5050 Poker has breached a material condition of its contract and that its directors have already been aware of this breach since 14 June 2012.  Microgaming has undertaken to reinstate game play on 5050 Poker Limited’s poker room as soon as the breach has been rectified satisfactorily.

The owner of 5050 Poker Limited, namely 5050 Poker Holdings AB which was founded in March, 2007, had its stock available on the Nasdaq OMX First North exchange with the intention of offering its loyal players shares in the company.

In August, 2009, 5050 Poker Limited licensed their poker, along with casino and sports betting services with Microgaming under LGA Malta andCuracaolicensing.

5050 Poker Limited has denied all the allegations made by Microgaming and according to their spokesperson, it is alleged that the suspension was unfair as the Microgaming network has changed its rules unilaterally and with very short notice.

The poker site feels that Microgaming’s move is an attempt to deliberately target its players so as to limit their chances of play.  The number of tables has been reduced from ten to two by the poker network who feels that Microgaming’s move is another example of their discriminatory attitude toward game operators who they feel are unfit.  5050 Poker Limited has had to take the entire brunt of the suspension which has resulted in their players being adversely affected and their earnings reduced.

The Swedish poker site, 5050 Poker Limited, has since announced that due to the fact that Microgaming is demanding additional guarantees in order to lift the ban, the poker site will be leaving the Microgaming network for good.

Online Poker Site Launched by U.S. Land Casino

Station Casinos, theUnited Statesland gambling group, was in the news on Tuesday due to the announcement made by them that they are in the process of launching an online poker site on Facebook this week under the brand of Ultimate Poker.

Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, the owners of the gambling group, revealed that they have chosen the name Ultimate Poker due to their involvement in the Ultimate Fighting Champion enterprise and that it is their intention to use this as a promotional vehicle for their new venture.

The Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) franchise enjoys huge international coverage and reaches millions in the target male demographic which, according to company spokesmen, is similar to the online poker audience.

Chairman of Fertitta Interactive, Tom Breitling, revealed that the group intended using software from its subsidiary Cyberarts which they acquired awhile back in order to power the new product under the auspices of Ultimate Gaming.  Breitling added that the company’s launch of Ultimate Poker is a first step in readying itself to move between social games, which include Facebook, as well as taking cash bets as they apply for licenses in states that are bound to legalize online gambling one day.

According to Tobin Prior, Ultimate Gaming Chief executive, the new poker site will supplement Ultimate Fighting Championship’s experience in growing social networks which has seen the company develop an online social audience of 8 million users on Facebook and 2.5 million on Twitter to develop games that cross online platforms.  Prior added that they intended making a mobile app available within the next few months.

Prior added “We’re also going to utilize Station Casinos’ customer relationship model, which is very important in any online enterprise,” 

Chris Derossi, who founded CyberArts, said that the Ultimate Poker product will provide players with a more factual atmosphere than most of its rivals online at the moment.

Derossi added” We are trying to provide an authentic experience for people who care about the game. As we move from the social side of gaming to a real money space, we will have serious players.”
 

Microgaming Poker Network to Release Rake Allocation Method

Leading online casino software company, Microgaming, has announced that its Poker Network is in the process of implementing an innovative new rake allocation method to be known as “True Value”.

True Value will work in two ways with the first method allocating player rake to operators based on activity, volume and win or loss ratio in place of the usual methods which work only with volume.

The new True Value method will also result in increased value being given to new players which should encourage operators to absorb, retain and reactivate recreational players. 

Another important fact is that the True Value valuation is done in such a way that the players themselves will not be aware of it.

True Value will be implemented by Microgaming by using a dual-layer system that will not impact players.  This method is done by laying one rake allocation method immediately above another with both working in real time and maintained by data in operators’ business solutions.  This method will ensure that players will be valued in the correct manner without alienating them.

Lydia Melton, Microgaming;s head of poker network games, commented on the forthcoming release of True Value by saying that it is their biggest release so far this year and that they truly believe that True Value is one of the most important releases in online poker.

Lydiaalso claimed that “What sets True Value apart from other networks’ solutions to the valuation problem is that it uses a dual layer system, which does not impact the players themselves.  Any players earning rake-based promotions, like bonuses, will clear those promotions at the same rate on True Value as on the current method.”

True Value is due to go live across all operators on the Microgaming Poker Network on Sunday, 1 July, 2012.

Microgaming developed the first true online Casino software over a decade ago and since then has led the industry in providing innovative and reliable gaming solutions to over 160 market-leading gaming sites all over the world.

Asian Tournament Cancelled by PokerStars

PokerStars, the largest and most popular online poker room in the world, has regrettably announced that it was compelled to cancel the August 2012 portion of the Macau Poker Cup; Red Dragon series. 

Danny McDonagh, PokerStars’ Director of Live Poker Operations for the Asia-Pacific, revealed that unfortunately the cancellation of these events is beyond their reasonable control.

McDonagh added “We cannot yet confirm the scheduling of PokerStars Macau special events for the rest of 2012, but hope to do so as soon as possible. However, what I can promise is an amazing Macau Poker Cup from June 9-18 which is going ahead as planned.

I assure all our loyal players and partners that PokerStars Macau is still deeply committed to creating the best poker experience in the world and my team is focused on showing that commitment this upcoming week at the Macau Poker Cup”

The opening Red Dragon event that kicked off on Saturday, 9^th June, 2012, will still continue with the highlight of this tournament being the HDK $11,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Red Dragon main event that guarantees a minimum of HDK $3 million in prizes.

The Macau Poker Cup is comprised of Two Red Dragon series with main events that offer HDK $3 million in guaranteed tournaments after which the Macau Poker Cup Championship is scheduled to take place with the main event offering a staggering HKD 44.5 million guarantee.

The very first Macau Poker Cup that was held in the year 2008 attracted a small group of only 33 entries.  Ever since that small beginning the Macau Poker Cup has become a much sough-after event with performance in the several events of the series counting towards the Asian Player of the Year award.

Players can enter the satellite qualifiers that are being run by PokerStars to the Main Event for as little as five Frequent Player Points.

Sky Poker offering GBP 60,000 in Guarantees

Sky Poker, the British Sky Broadcasting’s online poker division, is honoring the 60 years of the Queen’s reign by offering players GBP 60,000 in guarantees as well as a GBP 20,000 Jubilee Super Roller on Sunday, 3^rd June, 2012.

A series of exciting events is being offered by Sky Poker over the jubilee weekend which commences with a bank holiday on Saturday 2^nd,   Sunday 3^rd, Monday 4^th and Tuesday 5^th June, 2012.  The first event to be offered by Sky Poker is a GBP 10,000 Super Bounty that is due to commence at 8 pm on Saturday, 2^nd June, with a GBP 22 buy in.

High rollers will be attracted to the GBP 20,000 tense and exciting Jubilee Super Roller competition which will be live on Sky Poker TV from 8 pm on Sunday 3^rd June, 2012 with a buy in of GBP 110.  Sky Poker players are advised to tune in to this event so as to enjoy all the thrilling action.   An exciting Bounty Hunter Tournament with a GBP 5,000 prize pool is also being offered by Sky Poker on Sunday 3^rd June.

Sky Poker has also announced that a Bounty Hunter Event will take place on Monday 4^th June with a total prize of GBP 10,000 in cash and a buy in of a mere GBP 33 which is bound to result in fierce competition.

The final event to be offered by Sky Poker is an open competition that is due to take place on Tuesday, 5^th June, 2012.  This open competition offers players a combined prize pool of GBP 5,000 and a GBP 22 buy in. 

Sky Poker players are also being given a great opportunity to participate in an exciting 60 minute timed tournament with Sky Poker awarding a total cash giveaway of GBP 4,000.

Sky Poker enables users to play poker online on their website and screens selected hands for certain tournaments and cash games on Sky Poker TV giving players on the site an opportunity to become the stars of the TV channel.

Sky Poker is licensed and regulated by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.

Poker Stars Considered Top Employer

The online poker room, Poker Stars, is considered one of the best gaming sites in the world, and now the group is able to add another feather in its cap of achievements.  The group was recently selected as one of the best places to work in theUnited Kingdom, showing why so many people seek employment with this leading poker room.

Carried out by consultancy experts, The Great Place to Work, the study examined firms around the world in a number of different categories, judging them on several values such as respect, fairness, credibility and team work.

 Poker Stars was found to score top marks across the board in all these categories, and is considered an excellent place to work by its’ over 1,200 employees around the world.  Half of Poker Stars’ employees are based inLondonand the Isle of Man.

“As a fast-growing company, attracting and retaining talented people is critical to our business and we are, therefore, dedicated to ensuring that our employees are well supported, nurtured and rewarded,” said Lynn Hunter, the Director of Human Resources at PokerStars.   Lynne added “This is the first time we’ve participated in theGreat Placeto Work survey, so it’s especially gratifying to know that our efforts are contributing to the success of our business and that employees consider PokerStars to be aGreat Placeto Work.”

Poker Stars’ satisfied employees are able to thus provide top notch service to the site’s nearly 50 million worldwide registered players.  Since the site launched in 2001, it has dealt over 80 billion hands and its player base is growing each month.

Poker Stars regularly breaks world records, including one for holding the largest ever poker tournament in history.

The online poker room is fully licensed and regulated by a number of jurisdictions includingMaltaand the Isle of Man.