Regular Weekly Columns
Checking Around
Industry-focused picks from the discussion forums over the last two weeks.
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: PokerStars.ES, PokerStars.com, 888poker, Carbon Poker, Svenska Spel, and Real Gaming.
Regulation in Review: US
A review of the latest developments in gaming regulation in the US. This week: California, Texas, New Jersey and proposed federal legislation.
Regulation in Review: Europe and Beyond
A weekly review of the latest developments in gaming regulation outside the US. This week: UK, Belgium, Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, and William Hill.
Exclusive News Articles
Quests Replace Missions for 888poker’s Month of Majesty
A $20k freeroll provides the “Castle of Cash” towards which players must venture. 888poker may be replacing the “mission” concept with “quests” for its Month of Majesty promotion.
Dominic Mansour Appointed Full Tilt Managing Director
The ex-UK health Lottery CEO takes over on April 22. Full Tilt Poker has a new Managing Director, Dominic Mansour, formerly the CEO of the UK’s Health Lottery. He will adopt the role on April 22, reporting to Rational Group COO Rafi Ashkenazi.
Russian Poker Community Discusses Ways to Circumvent ISP Blocks
Russian community erupts following the expansion of Russia’s online blacklist. Following the expansion of Russia’s blacklist last weekend which saw many online gambling sites, including PokerStars, officially blocked in the country, Russian community forums have erupted in concerned discussion on the ramifications and possible workarounds.
Norwegians Hand Over Between $120m and $170m a Year to Foreign Operators
The state monopoly means that the figures relate entirely to the size of the “gray” market. The annual report to the Norwegian Lotteries and Gaming Authority (NLGA) estimates that foreign gaming operators receive gross gaming revenues of between KR700m and KR1bn ($120m to $170m) a year from their Norwegian customers.
Cash Game Traffic Stats Forecast 10% Fall in New Jersey Online Poker Revenues
Too many factors are hampering efforts to grow online poker to its full potential. New Jersey online poker revenues rose 20% in February, compared to January, but traffic statistics for March suggest that reported revenues will be down, perhaps over 10%.
French Market Down 20% in a Month
Winamax promotions may have postponed the seasonal fall—which appears more severe as a result. The French market is down almost 20% over the last 30 days. Even though the fall is from the peak created by the Winamax billion hand promotion, the size of the fall in cash game traffic is remarkable.
PokerStars Promotes in Latin American with Regional Happy Hours
50% more VPPs for Central and South American players twice a day. Between March 24 and April 6 PokerStars is offering its players from Central and South America their own “Happy Hours” during which they will earn extra VIP Player Points (VPPs).
Tournament Improvements, Numerous Bug Fixes in Party’s March Client Update
New client upgrade fixes bugs, improves tournament lobby. A new software update to the partypoker client, introducing many changes and fixes, rolled to customers on the dot-com poker room Tuesday.
William Hill Withdraws from 55 Countries
Gibraltar bookmaker exits from Africa and other markets, including Thailand and Uruguay. William Hill has decided to stop operating in 55 countries for “regulatory reasons.” The news was announced in an email notice to affiliates and will take effect on March 26.
Players Angry as 888 NJ Resets Status Points Ahead of May Rewards Program
New VIP system will roll out in May, and players’ status points balances roll back to zero. 888 New Jersey has reset players’ status points ahead of the introduction of its rewards program, annoying players who assumed there was intrinsic value in their accrued points.
Svenska Spel Confirms $144m Football Sponsorship Deal
Women’s football gets a 60% funding increase in the six year deal. Svenska Spel has announced a new deal to extend its sponsorship of Swedish football to 2020. Over the next six years the monopoly online poker provider will provide SEK 928 million ($144m) in support.
888 Offers the Chance to Turn One Cent into $10 Million
888poker is hoping that a dream entry to the 2014 WSOP Main Event will spark a marketing victory. This year, the WSOP Main Event guarantees the winner $10 million and 888poker is offering the chance for a seat for just one cent.
The Battle for Market Share is Just Tinkering at the Edges
No matter what other operators seem to do, PokerStars appears to remain unassailable. In spite of the substantial marketing spend of the big operators, and the occasional exchange of positions in the cash game traffic rankings, PokerStars’ respective market share has been remarkably unaffected.
