iPoker is considering dividing its poker network, permitting some of the more influential brands to split away from the rest of the main player pool, pokerfuse has learned. If implemented, it would effectively create two segregated groups of players.
iPoker, run by UK-listed Playtech, is the third largest network of players worldwide. It consists of over 40 brands, but a core group represents a predominant part of the player pool: This includes Titan Poker, the UK bookmakers William Hill and BetFred, Irish bookmakers Paddy Power and UK-based online brand Bet365.
A source close to the issue has told pokerfuse that an influential group of the larger poker rooms wishes to splinter from the rest, and the iPoker Network is considering the move. If it green-lights the deal it could happen in the next two months.
The concept seems similar to recent reports at Ongame. According to a series of articles published on PokerQ4, Ongame now has a “network in a network” – that it dubbed Ongame2 (ON2) – comprising of at least Betsson, Betsafe and Betfair. Although unannounced, it appears that this group of top tier bookmaker brands has its own poker tables not shared with the rest of the Ongame network.
However, an “iPoker 2” is even more radical. According to our source, players on an iP2 sub-network would be entirely split off from the regular iP1 network – no tables would be shared between those rooms seeking separation and the rooms left behind.
iPoker was not available for comment.
Correction: The article originally stated that, according to the PokerQ4 articles, Unibet was part of the Ongame2 network. Although the PokerQ4 article does state as such, the poker room actually currently resides on the Microgaming Network. The casino side, however, is using bwin.party software, which may explain the confusion.
