Regular Weekly Columns
Regulation in Review: US
A review of the latest developments in gaming regulation in the US. This week: Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the Amaya/PokerStars sale.
Traffic Watch
Pokerfuse PRO’s exclusive review of the online poker market across international, US and regulated European markets.
The Deal
Promotional highlights of the week, including 888poker and Ultimate in New Jersey, partypoker, PokerStars and Full Tilt.
Regulation in Review: Europe and Beyond
A weekly review of the latest developments in gaming regulation outside the US. This week: Italy, Portugal, Germany, Norway, Singapore, Mexico and the Isle of Man.
Checking Around
In our industry-focused picks from the discussion forums this week:
Exclusive News Articles
Svenska Spel: Marketing without Promotions
A self-imposed ban on standard online poker promotional tools takes Svensk Spel down an indirect marketing route. In October last year, Svenska Spel ended all bonus and other promotions that encourage players to play more than they otherwise would.
PokerStars 7 Goes Beta, Launches Public Support Forum
PokerStars quietly upgraded its long-awaited online poker client, PokerStars 7, from “alpha” to “beta” status last month, and has now launched a public support and discussion forum.
GBGA Announces Challenge to New UK Gambling Laws
The Gibraltar industry association has taken the first legal step in a judicial review process that could overturn new UK laws. The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA) has written to the UK government and to the UK Gambling Commission to warn them that it will challenge the new Gambling (Licensing & Advertising) Act in the courts.
iPoker Back in Touch with the Market
After a weak start to the year, iPoker is catching up with its competitors. After three months of lagging behind the wider dot-com cash game market, iPoker has pulled back up—and even started to outperform its competitors.
888 Poker New Jersey Begins Double Points Summer Campaign
Double status points for all depositors means a maximum of 70% cashback for top-tier players. 888poker New Jersey has begun a “Double Points Summer” promotion which gives cash game and tournament players an opportunity to earn as much as 70% rakeback now through July 31.
Six Months of Regulated Poker in New Jersey
Cash game traffic blues—but it’s not all bad news. State regulated online poker launched in New Jersey a little over six months ago—early revenue projections have proven to be overoptimistic; early enthusiasm has turned into grim determination.
Belgian Gambling Commission Tells Government to “Resist the lure of Income” and Limit Gambling
An unusual emotional appeal by Belgium’s top regulators. The Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) has written an open letter to the country’s new government requesting additional gambling restrictions.
Italian Cash Game Revenues Down 27%
Cash game poker declined faster than tournament poker in the regulated sector, which has fallen far more than than the global market. The Italian regulated poker market showed another—and for seasonal reasons, expected—decline in May.
MPN Continues to Buck Seasonal Online Poker Trend
Cash game seat traffic up 7% this week. Cash game traffic on MPN has risen 7% since June 8, bucking a seasonal downward trend in the online poker industry.
partypoker Bonus Builder: Cash Giveaways that Must be Earned
Bonus packages from $3 to $750 provide a promotion with appeal across the entire player pool. A two part “Bonus Builder” promotion at partypoker provides players with the chance to earn cash payments and a clearable bonus.
Amaya: Rational Platform to Include Online Sports Betting
Amaya CEO Baazov has high hopes for Stars’ exploration into other online gaming verticals. During a 30-minute conference call held Friday following the announcement that Amaya was acquiring PokerStars and Full Tilt, Amaya Gaming CEO David Baazov described Rational’s target growth initiative which includes online casino gambling, social gaming and sports betting.
Full Tilt Promotes Play Chip Purchase With a Billion Chip Freeroll
Monetization and brand projection drive Rational Group play money promotions. Full Tilt is following on from sibling PokerStars’ Sunday Billion play chip promotion with a Billion Chip Freeroll of its own.
CJEU Judgment Confirms PokerStars, 888 and bwin.party Licenses in Schleswig-Holstein
CJEU rules that two systems can exist in separate regions of one country under EU treaties. A judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) determined that the gambling licensing system in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein does not constitute an inconsistent legal framework for gambling regulation.
