The Full Tilt Poker/GBT deal may finally be nearing a conclusion, while an online poker bill appears to be dead in Iowa. Check out these stories and more and this week's Weekly Industry Update. Full Tilt Poker Update: Will this be the week? Multiple poker news outlets reported this week that the finalization of a Full Tilt Poker deal may finally be nearing completion. GamingIntelligence originally reported that a deal would be completed by March 16th, while EGR reported that the deal is expected to be closed the week ending March 23rd. There have been many moments of false hope since this saga began on April 15th, but it is seeming more and more likely a resolution is near. If the deal is completed, GBT speculated that the site could be live within a month. Hopefully this time next week, we will be one of many reporting on a successful outcome. Bovada Restricts Players from Three States: Two weeks after the seizure of Bodog.com and the indictment of founder Calvin Ayre, Bovada.lv, the U.S. facing brand on the Bodog Network has placed restrictions on four states. Players located in Maryland received word on Tuesday that their accounts would be closed immediately, while new registrations and new deposits were halted for players located in New York, Utah and Washington. The states were blocked because of the difficult legal environment and extra enforcement measures that have taken place in each of the states. Iowa Online Poker Bill Declared Dead: A online poker bill that passed the Iowa Senate by a 29-20 vote last week has been declared dead by Iowa House speaker Kraig Paulsen. There is still time to pass the bill in the House, but Paulsen said he has no plans to progress the bill. Paulsen stated that there was a "general lack of interest" in online poker among the Iowa House. Estimates are that online poker would bring $30 to $60 million in revenue for state-licensed casinos and generate $2.9 million in tax per year. A Sioux City Journal op-ed calls online poker's likely demise in the state a lost opportunity. Playtech Will Apply for Nevada License: Playtech, software provider for the iPoker Network, will apply for a license in the state of Nevada, according to EGR. Spielo and Gtech G2 were also confirmed as applying for licenses in Nevada this week. Over two dozen applicants are believed to have applied for Nevada licenses thus far for the regulated market, which is expected to launch as early as this fall. PokerScout Traffic Update: Online poker traffic dropped again for the fifth straight week, down 1.1%. PokerScout noted that Merge Gaming was one exception in a broad decline, up slightly for the week. Bodog, on the other hand, saw loses of 9% on the week and is now down 13% since the Bodog.com domain name seizure and indictment of founder Calvin Ayre. Meanwhile, Everleaf Gaming is down 25% since they left the U.S. and French market 6 weeks ago. Jottings: New Jersey online poker billed delayed for six weeks...Bodog makes hand histories available...March U.S. Online Poker Processing Report released...Power Poker (Cake skin) bans existing US players...U.S. facing Winning Poker Network unveils $250,000 Black Friday tournament...Bulgaria to regulate online poker, block unlicensed operators...Mississippi online poker bill dead...Matt Damon Poker Documentary trailer released.
The seizing of Bodog.com and the subsequent indictment of founder Calvin Ayre were the biggest news story of the week. Also making headlines was a surprise announcement of the closure of Chilipoker.com and more indications Zynga is moving towards real money gambling. Check out these stories and more in this week's Weekly Industry Update. Bodog.com Seized, Calvin Ayre Indicted: After a lengthy investigation, the non-operational Bodog.com domain name was seized. A day later, founder Calvin Ayre was indicted on charges of operating an illegal sports betting operation and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Ayre released a statement shorty after the news became public. "It is clear that the online gaming industry is legal under international law and in the case of these documents is it also clear that the rule of law was not allowed to slow down a rush to try to win the war of public opinion." Online poker was not named in the indictment and operations of Bodog and the US-facing Bovada appear to be unaffected at this time. Full Tilt Poker Update: Despite reports reports that the Full Tilt Poker/GBT deal was on the rocks, a GBT lawyer Behn Dayanim has stated in a new interview that "The Tapie Group is committed to make this deal work." Dayanim went on to say that just because people are not aware of what his happening does not mean that nothing is happening. He also theorizes that if this deal doesn't get done, nothing will as no other option is on the table. Chilipoker.com Closes, Focusing on U.S.: Chilipoker made a surprise announcement this week that Chilipoker.com players would be merged to another iPoker site, Poker770. The move comes after recent partnering with Golden Nugget and Bally Technologies. Increasing liquidity of Poker770 and Chilipoker.com as well as market opportunities in the U.S. were cited as reasons for the change. PokerScout Traffic Update: Online poker traffic was down for a third straight week, losing a modest 0.7% with six out the top ten sites seeing declines. Everleaf is the biggest loser of the week down 6%. PokerScout notes that traffic is down only 22% since the network left the U.S. market. PAS News: 888poker revenue share offer has been placed on hold. In new offer News, High Pulse Poker and Genting have been added to PAS. Jottings: Spanish licenses six weeks away, questions remain on player pools...Iowa lawmaker doesn't see online poker bill passing...Las Vegas Sands Sheldon Adelson says he is prepared to testify against internet gambling...Pincus says online gambling a "natural fit" for Zynga...Online poker companies ordered out of Holland...IGT lowers Sit N Go rake, increases No Limit Hold'em buy-ins...Ryan Lang pleads guilty to payment processing charges.
This week the ongoing Full Tilt Poker/GBT deal took yet another step, while the Bodog brand left the U.S. market and Denmark announced that 38 operators had been given licenses to operate in the newly regulated market. Check out these stories and more in PAS's weekly industry update. Full Tilt Update -- Full Tilt Poker One Step Closer: Subject Poker confirmed that Full Tilt Poker and Groupe Bernard Tapie have agreed to transfer the poker room's assets to GBT after Full Tilt Poker ownership voted on the agreement. The next step in the process requires that GBP must forfeit certain assets to the U.S. Department of Justice. At that time, CIVIL charges against Full Tilt Poker will also be dismissed. According to Subject Poker, these steps could take place shortly. In other notable news, GBT was announced as one of 61 license applicants (in Spanish) to operate in the regulated Spanish market. Denmark Announces Licensees: Last week the Danish Gambling Authority announced that 38 operators have been awarded licenses in the newly regulated Danish market, which will go live on January 1st. A total of 180 domain names will be able to offer some form of online gambling to Danish customers. Players and affiliates will be pleased to know that recent reports have suggested that player pools will not be segregated from the international player pool. Check here for a full list of operators. PAS partners on the list include Betfair, Betsafe, Interpoker, Party Poker, Bet365, Paradise Poker, PKR, Unibet and Fortune Poker. Bodog Brand Leaves U.S.: The Bodog brand had decided to leave the U.S. market at least six months ago. On Tuesday, they followed through with the unveiling of the new Bovada brand name, a U.S.-only poker site that will be different from Bodog only in name. Existing Bodog links will continue to be valid for non-U.S. players and operate as normal. For U.S. players, they will be directed to a landing page where they can visit the new Bovada poker room. PAS is currently working on a new Bovada review pages with direct links. Bodog will also be disclosing hole cards as an answer to concerns that were raised about the site's new Anonymous tables. Bodog UK CEO stated, "There is only really one criticism that stands up to scrutiny and that is whether the lack of usernames can increase the opportunity for collusion." The change is expected to occur in early 2012. Latest Traffic Update from PokerScout: Online poker traffic had another great week according to PokerScout, up 3.8% from the previous week with seven out of the top sites showing a gain. PokerStars had the largest increase with a 9.3% increase while Bodog saw their traffic drop 9.5%. PokerScout notes that while the fall/winter traffic season has picked up, overall traffic is down 26% from last year, mostly due to U.S. players who stopped playing after Black Friday. Notable gainers for the year are 888 Poker (76%), Merge Gaming (67%) and Bodog (54%); Entraction and Boss are two of the biggest losers with declines of 50% and 41%, respectively. Jottings: Top online poker Christmas promotions...Sale of Ongame Network at advanced stage but unlikely to happen in 2011...New Titan CPA policy change with Spanish and Belgium Regulation Update...PokerStars establishes trust fund for French players...German states approve online gambling regulation
As of Wednesday, the Bodog brand name is no more in the United States, rebranding to Bovada under the bovada.lv (Latvia) domain name. The popular Bodog brand will continue in Europe, Asia and throughout the rest of the world. Bovada and Bodog will share player pools meaning that Bovada will be the second largest site catering to U.S. players. According to Bodog, nothing is changing, just the brand name in the U.S. Although the timing of the announcement took some by surprise, Bodog announced last summer that the brand would be leaving the U.S. market by the end of 2011. U.S. players attempting to log on to Bodog today will have the new Bovada software automatically install on their computer with account and balances also transferring to the new website. Players can log in using the same username and password that they used on Bodog. Bodog tracking links will still work for non-U.S. players. U.S. players will be redirected to a Betting Partners landing page recommending players visit Bovada. All players that you have referred to Bodog will be transferred to the new brand with commissions and grandfathered rakeback still intact. PAS is currently working on a new Bovada tracking link/landing page for U.S. players and determining the best way to handle review pages. Be sure to stay tuned for the blog and forum for more information
More delay in the Full Tilt Poker/Alderney License Hearing and an announcement from Bodog that the "Bodog" brand name will be leaving the US market by the end of 2011. These stories and more are a part of this week’s PAS Weekly Industry Update. Bodog Brand to Leave US: Upon first glance, it appeared that the US online poker market had suffered yet another blow with headlines that read "Bodog Leaves U.S." In all actuality, just the brand that was leaving the US market -- at the end of 2011. Besides moving players to a poker room with a new name, players and affiliates should notice little difference. Bodog pointed out the new brand, operated by Morris Mohawk Gaming, has actually been operating the brand for the last five years. The announcement came on the heels of Bodog UK being granted a license by the UK Gaming Commission, which Bodog understandably does not to be negatively affected by the operating in less regulated markets such as the U.S. Full Tilt Updates The highly anticipated hearing with the Alderney Gaming Control Commission regarding the suspension of Full Tilt Poker's license was further delayed due to a request from Full Tilt Poker citing "sensitive negotiations" with potential European investors. After a private hearing, the commission decided to grant the delay to Full Tilt until a time no later than September 15th so that discussions can continue with the potential buyers. The commission agreed with Full Tilt's argument that allowing the hearing to go on as planned could greatly endanger the delicate negotiations and thus further harm player's chances for being paid. Latest Traffic Update from PokerScout: Last Monday, PokerScout reported that online poker traffic was up 8% over the previous week. Notable increases from PAS partner sites include Boss Media and Bodog, while Cake Poker saw its position drop a bit after a large increase in previous weeks. Year-over-year top gainers include Merge Gaming (87%), iPoker (29%) and Party Poker (25%). PAS Keeps Adding New Offers PAS is continuing to bring new offers to online poker publishers. Over the last week we have added new offers for popular European sites including Chili Poker and William Hill Poker. Jottings: Boss Network Bad Beat Jackpot finally goes off at €1,265,583.34... Sportingbet could leave Turkey in Ladbrokes takeover...Details of Quicktender Investigation released...FairPlayUSA launches online gambling advocacy group ...Problem gambling is hugely exaggerated, according to Reason.com.
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