Betfair Poker Launching Poker Room on iPoker Network
This was published 09-01-2013Betfair, the leadingUKbetting exchange, casino and poker group, has announced that it intends launching an online poker room on Playtech’s iPoker Network. This move comes just 18 months after Betfair moved from its own proprietary software to the Ongame Network.
The new online poker room is to be called the New Betfair Poker room and will run in conjunction with the existing Ongame poker skin for a period of six months after which it will move exclusively to the iPoker Network. Betfair Poker customers will be able to access both the Ongame and iPoker networks from Monday, 21st January, 2013 while the full move to iPoker should be completed by July, 2013.
Sam Hobcroft, Betfair’s Director of Gaming, stated that “Our intention has always been to offer our customers a rewarding and varied poker experience. Launching “New Betfair Poker” on Playtech’s platform will help us to continue to achieve this goal. It’s a world class product, offering unique and innovative features. This coupled with Betfair Poker’s renowned community and loyalty offerings will help us better retain our existing player base and attract a new audience to Betfair poker.”
Despite many rumors over the years that Betfair intended moving to the Playtech poker platform, the group dismissed these rumors and struck a deal with Playtech to supply games to its Spanish and Italian poker platforms.
Betfair’s move does not sound too good for the future of the Ongame Network which was purchased by aMontreal based entertainment solutions provider, Amaya Gaming, in November, 2012. During December, 2012, bwin – the flagship skin on the Ongame Network and owners of the network before it was sold to the Canadian Amaya Gaming group, moved its poker customers to PartyGaming.
Players at the New Betfair Poker site can look forward to playing against more recreational poker fans as well as a different tournament set up.
