In a unexpected development, PokerView players received word via email Monday night that the poker room would be leaving Everleaft for the Merge Gaming Network. The announcement comes with little notice as the site plans to begin migrating to the new network at 12:30 PM ET and be down until approximately 10 PM ET. PokerView -- a Short Window of Opportunity for U.S. players? Interestingly for players -- and affiliates for that matter -- the small window of time from when players started to receive emails until the migration seemingly allows U.S. players to join the Merge Gaming Network through the backdoor and POSSIBLY even be grandfathered into rakeback. With little information at this time, PAS can not guarantee that players will be grandfathered into rakeback once the migration takes place. With that said, if you have time to reach out to your players before the switch-over happens, this could be a low-risk opportunity for your... 1) U.S. users to find an early return to the Merge Gaming Network and 2) allow all players the POSSIBILITY to receive grandfathered flat rakeback on Merge Gaming. If you decide to promote PokerView on this news, just make sure it is abundantly clear that there are no promises that can be made when signing up for PokerView before they move to Merge. Likely Scenarios If PokerView players do not received grandfathered rakeback at Merge Gaming, players will receive the same offer that players receive who sign-up after tomorrow -- 35% Daily Cashback and another 10% from VIP Point exchanges. A player's return will be based on VIP status level, which is determined by the number of VIP Points earned during the month. The highest raking players -- those that generate $2,500 or more a month in rake will qualify for the maximum rate. Players generating less will receive anywhere from 5%-30%. Reasons for the Merge Gaming Move So why is PokerView moving to the Merge Gaming Network? I think there are two likely reasons. Number one, I think it's reasonable to assume that PokerView believes there is a good chance that Merge Gaming will reenter the U.S. market very soon, just as many in the industry have been reporting over the last few weeks. Number two, at three times the size the Everleaf Network, Merge Gaming provides much more liquidity than the Everleaf Network. Whatever the reason, it all happens tomorrow. Please stay tuned for PAS for the latest information on the migration and how it will affect existing and new players at PokerView.
Poker Affiliate Solutions would like to provide publishers with an update on the status of the Merge Gaming reentry into the U.S. market that was originally reported to be on track to happen this week. With the work week over, we are now being told by our sources that the move will not happen this week but that entry into the U.S. market is still imminent. Over the last two months, many rumors and reports have circulated that the network would be reopening to new US players. We decided to share our information last week because it was among the most credible and firm that we had received since the early June ban. Despite the delay, we still have every reason to believe that Merge Gaming will begin accepting new US players very soon, but it is clear that a firm date can not be given at this time. Poker Affiliate Solutions is working closely with Merge gaming rooms to create special promotions for new U.S. players in anticipation of this change. PAS Publishers should continue to prepare for Merge Gaming to reenter the U.S. market by preparing to update your websites, content and promotional material. When they do reopen to the U.S., Merge Gaming will once again be the largest site to accept NEW U.S. players, so there are amazing marketing opportunities for affiliates when it does happen. Also, be sure to stayed tuned to PAS for the latest updates on this developing story.
Today Sportsbook.ag reopened to new US players which indicates that Merge Gaming will also finally be reopening to the US market. In fact, our sources at Merge Gaming have informed us that they will likely begin accepting new US players in the next week, over two months after instituting a temporary block on new US sign-ups. The move comes as traffic growth on the network has slowed after extreme growth in late April/early May following the events of Black Friday. With the policy change, Merge Gaming is now again the largest site to accept new US sign-ups. During the Merge Gaming absence from the US market, Bodog and Cake Poker were the two largest sites that continued to accept new US players. No large traffic shifts in US players have been noted since halting of new sign-ups during this time, according to data seen on PokerScout. This is probably due to the fact a lot of players who wanted Merge Gaming accounts already had them by the time they announced their temporary halt. Will Payment Processing Improve? The million dollar question for the Merge Gaming Network is can the site adequately handle payment processing, especially withdrawals, in such a difficult environment going forward? Many players in the post-UIGEA world have grown accustomed to mulit-week delays waiting for withdrawals, but will they remain patient in light of the events of April 15th? Withdrawals seem to be currently done with expected delays still being reported by players. In our recent report on payment processing for US-facing sites, PAS gave Merge Gaming a B- grade. Diversifying Into Europe Today's move comes on the heels of a recent announcement that Merge Gaming has received a letter of intent from the Lotteries and Gaming Authority in Malta to operate in the jurisdiction. The increased emphasis on the European market seems to be part of Merge’s overall plan to diversify their player base while continuing to accept players from the US. Despite Merge reopening their doors to new US players, it seems to be increasingly unlikely in the aftermath of Black Friday that a US site will grow to the level of Full Tilt Poker or PokerStars, at least while the current climate exists. Rewards Through VIP Program New players choosing to sign up at Merge Gaming skins after the reopening of US sign-ups will not be able to receive rakeback on the network – that ended for new players on June 1st, a few days before the halting of new US sign-ups. The primary reward system on the network is a VIP program, where players can now receive VIP up to 47% at Carbon Poker and 35%-47% at other Merge Gaming sites. PAS also provides exclusive Rake Races up to $10,000 Rake Race at Merge Gaming sites such as Carbon Poker and Black Chip Poker, which is the maximum allowed affiliate promotion that can be offered since the halting of rakeback. Stay tuned to PAS for more news and information on this great development for US players. For affiliates, we will go over some of the top Merge Gaming options to promote on the PAS network. We will also take a look at how the VIP programs at Merge stack up against each other and how they fare versus rakeback.
Broadway Tables rakeback has been added to the PAS Network, joining Cake Poker, Red Star Poker and Power Poker as Cake Poker Network skins offered by PokerAffiliateSolutions. Like Cake Poker, Broadway Tables currently accepts players from the US, and is on the largest network to offer rakeback to US players . Publishers promoting the Broadway Tables rakeback offer will receive 10% commission after rakeback has been paid, which is the highest starting rakeback commission for Cake Poker Network sites offered by PAS. Why should I promote Broadway Tables? --US-facing skin on the Cake Poker Network --33% rakeback, based on the dealt method (generally appeals to tight and experienced players) --Lucrative additional rewards for players --Highest starting rakeback commission for any Cake Network skin on the PAS network --Website in the English and Spanish language --Charity and College player-focused --Great alternative for US players with a non-rakeback account on Cake Poker What offers do my players receive when signing up at Broadway Tables? --33% rakeback --110% up to $600 sign-up bonus --Free Poker Coaching through Deuces Cracked (PAS exclusive) --Rake Chase Coming in July! --Gold Stacks Rewards Program and other standard Cake promotions --Long Term Poker Training How do I start promoting the Broadway Tables Offer? If you’re already a PAS publisher, it’s easy: simply log-in to the publisher admin and navigate to the “Rakeback Offers” tab and you should see the offer at the top of the list. Enable the offer and Broadway Tables will appear on your website. If you’re brand new to PAS, you may sign-up to become a PAS publisher today and start promoting Broadway Tables as well as dozens of other offers. Where can I receive additional information? If you’re new to PAS and would like to familiarize yourself with our services, feel free to check out our FAQ. We’re also available to answer any questions you may have. If you’d simply like to learn more about Broadway Tables, refer to our special Broadway Tables review page.
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