Regular Weekly Columns
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 Switch Poker, Real Gaming, PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Equity Poker Network, 88 New Jersey and Ultimate Poker.
Regulation in Review: US
A review of the latest developments in gaming regulation in the US. This week: California, New Jersey and a federal push to outlaw online gaming.
Regulation in Review: Europe and Beyond
A weekly review of the latest developments in gaming regulation outside the US. This week: Spain, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Portugal, UK, Belarus and Russia.
Checking Around
In our industry-focused picks from the discussion forums this week: PokerStars/Amaya, Santa Ysabel, 888 New Jersey and more.
Exclusive News Articles
Latvia’s First Blacklist Includes All Top Poker Operators
Pokerstars, Full Tilt, 888, Unibet, Bwin, Bet365, William Hill and Betsson are all listed. Latvia has published its first blacklist after a new Electronic Communications law came into force on August 1.
888 Tells Affiliates to Stop Marketing in the Netherlands
Early public compliance indicates a license application will be forthcoming. 888 has passed on a warning from Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit, and told its affiliates not to conduct any marketing activities in the Netherlands.
Switch Poker Traffic Sustained by Guerrilla Marketing
The mobile micro-site survives low traffic numbers with innovative and efficient marketing. It may be tough at the top, but surviving at the bottom requires different mindset.
Rational Group’s Paul Telford Steps Down as General Counsel and Board Member
Telford chooses family time over business, describing the years after Black Friday as “hectic.” Top Rational Group executive, board member and General Counsel Paul Telford has announced that he is leaving the company.
Borgata Turns the Corner on Online Gaming
While igaming breaks even in July, Boyd Gaming CFO Josh Hirsberg expects some competitors to give up in “the near future.” Boyd Gaming’s second quarter financial results disappointed investors with overall revenue numbers, but online gaming—its joint operations with the Borgata, MGM and bwin.party—hit a “key milestone.”
Nevada’s Real Gaming Giving Away $100k in Year-Long Promotion
The Real 50 promotion rewards the top 50 cash game players at low and mid stakes each month. Real Gaming Nevada is in an extended “soft launch” phase, but that has not stopped them offering a comparatively rich cash game giveaway promotion.
“Go Fast” Turbocharges Winamax Cash Game Traffic
22.5% more cash game seats filled, with more to come after Winamax launches its fast-fold poker product. The launch of Winamax’ new fast fold poker game “Go Fast” has given the French regulated site an immediate surge in its cash game traffic.
UKGC Warns Operators to Get their Applications in on Time
Online poker rooms which miss the September 16 deadline may have to withdraw from the UK market, regulator warns. Online poker rooms that want to keep UK customers and comply with new laws have until September 16 to apply for a license—and pay the appropriate fee.
William Hill CEO Reports 17% Decline in Online Poker
New CEO James Henderson spent his first day in post explaining a major profits fall. William Hill CEO James Henderson had a tough first day in his new job at the UK company—he issued a half year financial report showing that after-tax profits had fallen 26%.
Winamax “Go Fast” Back Online
After as stuttering start, the French online poker leader relaunches its fast-fold poker variant. The regulated French online poker room Winamax is now live with its fast-fold poker variant, Go Fast.
