- Russia Moves to Block Online Poker Sites Including PokerStars.
- William Hill Withdraws from 55 Countries.
- California Tribal Business Alliance Demands Bad Actor Clause to Exclude PokerStars.
We wrap up the week with a rundown of the most read news articles and features from the past seven days on pokerfuse. Never miss a story with our special feature every Saturday.
10. PokerHost Leaves Merge for the Equity Poker Network
Merge Gaming loses a skin which may take as much as 20% of the network’s cash game traffic when it leaves. Merge Gaming poker room PokerHost will reportedly be leaving the network and joining the Equity Poker Network (EPN) within the next couple of weeks.
9. Merge Anonymizes Sit and Go Registration
Screen names hidden in lobby as tournaments fill. A new software update that rolled out across skins on the US-facing Merge Gaming this week introduced anonymous registration for all sit & go tournaments.
8. 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.
7. New Bills Seek to Amend Wire Act to Ban All Online Gambling
Adelson-backed bill formally introduced in House and Senate, though with a very slim chance of successful passage. Two new bills officially introduced on Wednesday in both the House of Representatives and Senate would ban most online gambling in the US, including online poker in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware, all of which went live with legal, regulated online gaming within the last year.
6. Top Stories This Week: Utah Scandal and PokerStars in Illinois and California
Most read stories on pokerfuse in the last seven days. We wrap up the week with a rundown of the most read news articles and features from the past seven days on pokerfuse. Never miss a story with our special feature every Saturday.
5. 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.
4. Adelson’s Fellow Board Member Buys 51 Million Shares in bwin.party
Jason Ader says that he and Adelson agreed to disagree. Las Vegas Sands Corporation non-Executive Director Jason Ader has bought 51 million shares in bwin.party.
3. California Tribal Business Alliance Demands Bad Actor Clause to Exclude PokerStars
Balancing tribal interests will be key to California internet poker legislation. A statement from Leslie Lohse, the Treasurer of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians and Chairperson of the California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA), includes strong opposition to any California gaming law that would allow PokerStars to receive a license to operate.
2. 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.
1. Russia Moves to Block Online Poker Sites Including PokerStars
The addition of PokerStars.com and around 50 other sites to an official blacklist has caused concern that the Russian market may be closing. Russian media and poker forums are reporting that the country is extending its crackdown on foreign poker sites. The country maintains a blacklist of sites—including non-gambling sites—and on March 21, PokerStars.com was added.
