Poker Business News From Europe

Bodog Launches New Online Poker Network
Bodog has announced the launch of a new business-to-business white label online poker network, BodogNetwork.com.

The new network’s agreement with BodogBrand.com sees Bodog’s three online gaming brand licensees — Bodog Europe (Bodog.co.uk and Bodog.ca), the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group (Bodog.com), and Haydock Entertainment (Bodog.88.com) — sign binding agreements to become the new network’s first licensees.

Patrik Selin, chief executive officer of Bodog and former Ongame CEO, said, “I intend to build one of the largest and most reputable poker networks in the world. We are building a model that is founded on security and integrity, and Bodog Network partners will never need to disclose or put their customer databases at risk. The initial discussions I’ve had regarding potential candidate partners have been overwhelmingly positive.”

The company says it plans to secure an EU gaming license in order to attract European poker operators to the network and that it, “intends to change the game, and bring an entirely fresh approach to the network ecosystem, including a much-anticipated and unique solution to the rakeback challenge.”

Swedish mobile gaming company Aspiro announced at the end of August it was also launching a new online poker network.

Court Orders Online Player to Forfeit Winnings
The Danish Supreme Court has forced a 35-year-old unemployed man to forfeit DKK194,000 (€26,000) he had won playing online poker after finding he was playing professionally.

The court ruled that the man had broken laws relating to earning a living from gambling as he had won the money over the course of a full year and had no other source of income.

However it quashed a DKK5,000 fine the man had received from a lower court.
Prosecutors said the decision does not outlaw online gambling. Svend Larsen, for the State, said, “We will decide on a case by case basis whether someone is playing professionally.”

Entraction Jettisons Boss Media Deal
Entraction, the Swedish-quoted online gaming network, has terminated its contract with Boss Media and will close Cardroom2 on its network as a result.

Boss Media operates the International Poker Network which is currently available as a second cardroom on Entraction, but the company said the traffic between the networks was not extensive and represented only about 5 percent of Entraction’s poker revenue.

Peter Åström, chief executive officer of Entraction said, “Cardroom2 has been a good possibility for players to play on two different networks using one account. Because of the strong growth in the Entraction poker network there is no longer a need for Cardroom2.”

Cardroom2 on the Entraction network will close on or before December 31, 2009.

Online Companies Diversify Their Businesses
Online poker room operators bwin and PKR have entered significant business deals which will diversify their product offerings.

Austrian bookmaker bwin acquired a majority share in UnitedGames, one of Europe’s leading massive multiplayer online game (MMOG) developers and publishers.

The acquisition will allow bwin to develop new lines of business and bolster the leadership of UnitedGames in online game publishing and development.

bwin also recently agreed to purchase Italian online poker operator Gioco Digitale.

Meanwhile PKR.com, the next generation online poker room, announced it was launching an online sportsbook having inked a deal with Global Betting Exchange to use its iBroker system.

iBroker software automates all aspects of sportsbook management from the creation and pricing of events right through to settlement.

World Series of Poker Brand Goes Online
Israeli online gaming operator, 888 has signed a long-term deal with Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment to power the U.S casino giant’s new online poker site.

888’s recently launched white-label business Dragonfish will host and roll out Harrah’s World Series of Poker brand online and the company will also deliver casino software, customer support, electronic payment gateways, and customer relationship management for the brand.

Gigi Levy, chief executive officer of 888 said, “This is a ground breaking deal for 888 and demonstrates our ability to provide real value to globally renowned, land-based casinos and their leading brands. We have the structure in place to realise our B2B division’s full potential over the next 18 months and beyond and today’s announcement of our partnership with an industry giant is further vindication of this strategy.”

Mitch Garber, former PartyGaming chief and current boss of Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment said, “As we develop and roll out our interactive strategy, we have chosen to work with 888, primarily for their world-class technology, scalability, and a strong commitment to compliance, and responsible gaming.”

Analyst Daniel Stewart & Co said of the partnership, “This is an excellent and surprising deal. The surprise is based on three factors; first, that Harrah’s did not partner with PartyGaming; second, that Harrah’s did not partner with one of the more liquid poker networks (Playtech, bwin); and third, that Harrah’s has chosen to partner with a company that has resolutely declined to seek a settlement with the US Department of Justice over its historic US-facing activity.”

Watchdog Bans Annette Obrestad Ad in UK
In September the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned a Betfair email ad featuring Annette “Annette_15” Obrestad, concluding it was, “…likely to have particular appeal to children and young people, and that, by representing a successful young poker player with the implication she was 15-years-old, it could encourage young people to gamble and was therefore irresponsible.”

The text on the ad said, “Online experience is measured in games, not years. Join the new breed, Annette Obrestad – “Annette_15”.

The ad watchdog received at least one complaint about the ad which objected that it was irresponsible because it might encourage children and young people to gamble.

In ruling, ASA said, “We considered that Ms. Obrestad’s online handle in the ad, “Annette_15”, together with text stating “ONLINE EXPERIENCE IS MEASURED IN GAMES, NOT YEARS”, implied that Ms. Obrestad was even younger than she was (aged 20)…The ad must not appear again in its current form.”

London Poker Circuit Returns
After a brief blackout period, the London Poker Circuit has returned to British felt.

The Sportsman Casino in Marble Arch is now the LPC’s new home just four weeks after it was terminated in September when its hotel-based tournaments suffered from poor attendance. The company behind the events issued a statement claiming that its dissolution was due to financial circumstances and the fact that they were not allowed to have cash games or attract players for anything other than tournaments.

This new venue means cash games and casino games will also be available which, it is hoped, will increase attendance.

888 to Launch Online Poker in South Africa
Dragonfish, the business-to-business unit of 888.com, has signed a deal with South Africa hotel and entertainment group Tsogo Sun Gaming (TSG) to launch online poker, casino, sports betting, and bingo products on behalf of the firm.

A joint company will be formed ahead of the launch of sport betting. This will be followed with the launch of casino, online poker, and bingo products.

Dragonfish will supply back-end services such as business analytics, customer relationship management, call centre, payment processing and technology. The company will market the 888 brand in the country as well as a newly-developed brand for TSG.