Coral to Move into iPoker "Top Tier" Coral to Move into iPoker "Top Tier"
andionline, SXC Standard Restrictions
Key Takeaways
  • Coral will join iPoker’s “Top Tier” rooms effective May 1.
  • Since moving to iPoker, Coral has seen increased revenue and active players every month and has doubled in size.

UK based Coral will join iPoker’s “Top Tier” rooms effective May 1. The site switched to iPoker from Ongame in May last year.

iPoker’s top tier has high entry barriers. Qualifying sites must maintain a new player sign up rate of 850 players per month and maintain an active player base of over 6,000.

The higher tier is reputed to have a greater proportion of recreational players particularly at mid-stakes No Limit Hold’em ring games. Sites in this tier are thought to have a marketing advantage over the other iPoker skins.

The substantial upgrade to iPoker’s poker client announced last week is likely to be rolled out to top tier rooms first. Coral players should be joining the network in time to benefit from the revised features, including a new “Elite” VIP level.

iPoker has now established itself in second position behind PokerStars in terms of cash game traffic.

The network is edging towards a greater focus on recreational players with developments such as the introduction of anonymous tables. Conversely, the current Spring Sprint promotion rewards high volume grinders.

A Coral representative told PokerAffiliateSolutions, “Since our move to iPoker from Ongame last October we’ve seen increased numbers in terms of revenue and active players every single month, so much so we have doubled in size culminating in our promotion to the top tier.”

The iPoker strategy seems to be working for owners Playtech, although its latest financial report shows revenues from poker down 18%.

The Gala Coral Group is privately owned and generates revenues of over £1bn a year. It employs over 18,000 people across its gaming and entertainment businesses.