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Hungary Passes Online Gaming Laws

 The online gaming industry will be altered in Hungary following a law passed by that country’s parliament recently.

All online gaming companies operating in the central European nation will require a five-year state concession under the new law, which was highly supported by Parliamentarians, evidenced by the 235 votes for it compared to the 69 against.
The concession will have a fee of HUF 100 million (around US$440,540) per year for each company operating in Hungary. There will also be a fortnightly tax of 20 per cent on each service’s net earnings as well as a quarterly supervision fee of 2.5 per cent.
With the fees and taxes that have been implemented, the Hungarian Government has estimated that will gain an extra HUF 10 billion (just over US$44 million) in annual revenue as a result. Online gaming services that are not granted a permit would be blacklisted and blocked within Hungary’s borders, while those who do obtain a permit must restrict access to Hungarians under the age of 18.
While the measures may result in some of the money used in online gaming staying within Hungary, the taxes and fees that are being charged are quite high for a number of companies. In their current form, the taxes and fees are likely to attract only the major players in the poker world to operate in the country.
Even then, the fact that Hungary is not a large market for online poker would likely make the larger companies think twice about operating under the country’s new measures. Relatively speaking, Hungary is a small country, with a population of just under 10 million people.
Its economy is experiencing growth - something seen in few European countries at the moment - but its small online poker market would likely not help boost business’ profits with the new financial measures in place.
It is highly likely, however, that Hungary’s online poker and gaming industry will continue to exist in spite of the new and arguably high monetary concessions imposed.
Author: Ekaterina
03 . 07 . 2013 y.
Zynga Gets New CEO

 Zynga CEO and co-founder Mark Pincus has stepped down from the post as the online social gaming company continues through some turbulent times.

Replacing Mr Pincus will be 49-year-old tech gaming guru Don Mattrick, who previously served in a variety of leadership positions at Electronic Arts until leaving the company in February 2007. He most recently worked at Microsoft, where he oversaw the company’s Xbox 360 and PC gaming businesses, during which the Xbox 360 installed base grew from 10 million to over 76 million globally.
Mr Pincus said that he was highly hopeful the former President of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft would benefit Zynga in a major way. "I've always said (to the Zynga board) that if I could find someone who could do a better job as our CEO I'd do all I could to recruit and bring that person in," he said. "I'm confident that Don is that leader."
Mr Mattrick expressed his pleasure at being chosen to take over the reins as Zynga CEO, saying that the business will go from strength to strength despite the rough patch the company is currently going through.
"Zynga is a great business that has yet to realize its full potential," Mr Mattrick said. "I joined Zynga because I believe that Mark's pioneering vision and mission to connect the world through games is just getting started."
The company announced just last month that it would be cutting just below 20 per cent of its staff as part of a restructuring move. Other cost cutting measures have been the closure of at least eleven games by the company at the start of the year along with the removal of a number of its other games from app stores.
Zynga Poker is one of the games offered by the company, and it has the distinction of being the first social game offered by it. Zynga also boasts that its poker game is the biggest free to play online poker service on the planet, the fourth most popular game on Facebook, as well as a top-10 grossing game in the Apple App Store.
While Zynga Poker is likely to be an integral part of the company, it will not be surprising if it is not a huge focus with Mr Mattrick at the helm. While he is a spectacular figure on gaming in the context of software and technology, he has had minimal exposure to the online gaming industry to date.
That will likely lead to Zynga Poker remaining a social free to play game in the short, medium and possibly long term future.
 
Author: Ekaterina
03 . 07 . 2013 y.
Dana Castaneda Joins Elite Company With Bracelet Win

 Dana Castaneda etched her name into the WSOP history books last night when she became the first woman since Vanessa Selbst, last year, to win a bracelet in an open event. Castaneda bested the massive field of over 2880 runners in event #54, $1000 No-Limit Hold’em to win her first bracelet and take home the healthy payday of $454,207.

She joins a prestigious list of ladies that have won open bracelet events since the Moneymaker boom that includes Cindy Violette, Kathy Liebert, Katja Thater, Annette Obrestad, Annie Duke and, of course, Selbst.
Castaneda entered the Final Table on an extremely short stack but hung tough and doubled through time after time until she found herself the overwhelming chipleader. Dana held on to defeat Canadian Jason Bigelow heads-up. Bigelow, who was hoping to bring an 11th bracelet to the Canadians this summer, had to settle for runner up and almost $282,000 2nd place prize.
Castaneda decided to play the event only after her 94th place cash in the Ladies’ Event. Now, with a fresh batch of cash and confidence, be on the lookout for Castaneda who plans to play the Main Event, which starts Saturday.
Author: Ekaterina
03 . 07 . 2013 y.
Black Card returns to Full Tilt Poker

 Full Tilt today announced the return of the Black Card VIP status level, the highest level of Full Tilt's Edge reward program. 

According to the Full Tilt Poker website, any player who achieves a 100-day rolling average of 500 Full-Tilt points per day will become a black-card player and receive access to the prestigious VIP level and all of its rewards.
"All Black Card members can also convert points directly to cash at a rate of $1 for every 200 Full Tilt Points, with the option to do so manually or automatically on each Edge Rewards payday. In addition, they will retain all the benefits enjoyed by players holding Diamond status, the second highest Edge rewards level."
In addition to these benefits, those players topping the black-card leaderboards at the end of each qualifying period will be awarded a six-month sponsorship contract. The contract will include 100% cashback on all play at FTP throughout the duration of the contract. Players will also receive either FTOPS or MiniFTOPS buy-ins to the value of $20,000 or a clearable bonus worth $20,000. It's still unclear how many contracts will be awarded to players.
Author: Ekaterina
02 . 07 . 2013 y.
New PartyPoker Logo and Branding

 PartyPoker will soon launch their new brand identity, including new a new logo and software features, which will reflect a clean break from the past as Party move forward into a new and exciting product future.

PokerUpdate has been informed by a PartyPoker representative that their product is changing for the better, with a keen focus on improving the software in order to provide players with a unique, flexible and fundamentally enjoyable player experience.
In particular, key focus will be made on creating an oustanding social experience for players including some of the following social benefits:
A new and differentiated player experience by introducing missions and achivements.
Unique social features to be integrated in to the Party software.
In addition to new software changes and features, Party will launch a new logo. Although it maybe perceived as simplistic, Party have assured us that great thought and research has gone in to its development. The new logo represents a shift towards a new, innovative and enhanced social product. According to Party, The change of colour scheme to orange denotes positivity, new beginnings and possibilities. Clearly Party have taken a very zen-like and futuristic approach to their re-brand!
Will the re-brand live up to expectations?
PartyPoker has been talking about re-branding for a long time now. Since leaving the U.S. market in 2006 as the market leader, Party has seen its traffic levels drop significantly. Recently, Party has dropped to as low as #5 in the PokerScout traffic rankings, behind Pokerstars, iPoker, FullTilt Poker and 888 respectively. Since merging poker traffic with bwin earlier this year and implementing skill-based player pool segregation, the network has continued to struggle to retain its dominance in the market. 
Furthermore, Party recently delved into social real money gaming by partnering with Zynga's Plus Poker product. As of yet, the joint enterprise with Zynga has failed to make any significant dent in the market.
With such a rich heritage and some form of major legislation in the U.S. appearing inevitable, maybe this dramatic shift might render the brand which once ruled the roost unrecognisable in the new World of regulated online poker. Countless Americans would recognise Party's soon to be former logos for their quirky and fun nature.
With its thin font and simple use of two colours, the new logo is subtle, sophisticated and modern. However, it arguably contrasts with Party's brand values of excitement, fun and entertainment. Unlike the current logo, there is no indication that any kind of Party is taking place here.
Regardless of how the new logo may be perceived by the poker playing public, it's clear that Party are determined to modernize online poker by innovating their product and really establishing a dramatic shift in to a new era.
Author: Ekaterina
02 . 07 . 2013 y.
PokerStars Loses Appeal to Purchase Atlantic Club

 PokerStars was dealt another losing hand when the appellate court in New Jersey chose not to intervene in the matter, upholding a lower court judge's decision that terminated the acquisition agreement between the parties.

This is likely not the final bullet that PokerStars will fire in the case, as the appellate judges considered only the interlocutory phase of the appeal. That leaves the broader appeal still open for consideration.
PokerStars remains miffed at having shelled out $11 million of the $15 million purchase price in $750,000 weekly installments, yet seemingly walked away empty-handed when the Atlantic Club owners caught a favorable river card via a clause in the contract that required PokerStars to secure casino licensing by April 26 or the agreement could be terminated.
The casino did just that, keeping the $11 million and also insisting that PokerStars cough up a $4 million termination fee as specified in the agreement. That's another matter that will likely find its way before a judge before all is said and done.
The $15 million price for the struggling casino was negotiated in December, two months before New Jersey Governor Chris Christie approved online gambling in the state. With online poker and casino sites expected to launch in November, the Atlantic Club has gained substantial value since PokerStars first sought to rescue it.
That rescue was intended by PokerStars to be its seat at the online poker table in the U.S. But New Jersey court decisions of late have been instrumental in keeping the world's top poker site from joining the game. Other states will also likely keep PokerStars from participating by way of bad actor clauses in their respective legislative efforts that penalize alleged violators of the UIGEA. PokerStars is one of those violators, despite its outstanding reputation throughout the rest of the world.
PokerStars continues to dominate the online poker market, posting player traffic numbers that dwarf the competition. But part of that success is attributable to servicing the U.S. market post-UIGEA, and many believe that the online poker site should somehow pay for its actions. That payback may be underway now, as New Jersey judges and online poker and gambling legislation approved or being considered in other states will likely keep PokerStars watching from the rail, at least for the time being.
Author: Ekaterina
02 . 07 . 2013 y.
Ultimate Gaming Partners with Trump for Online Poker in New Jersey

 Ultimate Gaming has entered into an agreement to supply real-money online gaming to Trump Taj Mahal Associates LLC. in New Jersey, it was announced on Monday.

“Today we are excited to be entering into an agreement with Trump Taj Mahal Associates to bring online gaming to New Jersey,” said Tom Breitling, Chairman of Ultimate Gaming, in a press release sent to pokerfuse. “This represents a huge step forward in our desire to offer Americans across the nation the opportunity to enjoy safe and regulated online games.”
Ultimate Gaming launched the first regulated online poker room in the US in Nevada on April 30 using proprietary software. It plans on providing that platform to the Taj Mahal for a variety of casino games in addition to poker.
“The technology was acquired in 2011 and developed by a U.S. based company with a completely clean regulatory profile,” said Tobin Prior, Chief Executive Officer of Ultimate Gaming.
US regulators have been strict in their approval of online gaming providers that have previously offered real-money wagers within the US. Nevada adopted a “bad actor” clause preventing such companies from receiving an interactive gaming license for the first five years of the state’s new program. New Jersey removed bad actor language from its legislation, but has applied its suitability requirements of demonstrating “good character, honesty and integrity by clear and convincing evidence” to the partners working to bring online gaming through its land-based casinos.
Though Ultimate Gaming was the first—and still the only—online poker provider in Nevada, online gaming in New Jersey will be implemented via a coordinated launch date that will afford no strategic advantage to any single early entrant. The official launch of online gaming in New Jersey has not been officially determined as of this time, but it is expected to go live this fall.
Yesterday marked the deadline for filing a report on partnerships between casinos and third-party providers for any operators wanting to go live from the start. The next deadline will be July 29, the date that completed license applications are due.
Author: Ekaterina
01 . 07 . 2013 y.
Anthony Gregg Victorious In One Drop

 Perhaps his name was not yet well-known, but his reputation in the poker community as one of the top tournament players was. Now everyone in the poker world knows the name of Anthony Gregg, the 26-year old who bested the field of 166 high-rollers this past Saturday on his way to winning over $4.8MM and claiming his first bracelet in the $111,111 One Drop Tournament.

The field was regarded as one of the toughest of the 2013 WSOP, as top professionals from both the poker and business world clashed in an effort to both make the final table as well as raise money for the adopted charity of the WSOP, Guy Laliberte's One Drop Foundation.
The final table, which was split into two days due to time, did not disappoint. Nick “The Takeover” Schulman, Brandon Steven, Martin Jacobson and business professional Richard Fullerton were eliminated in the first half of the Final Table, on Day 3.
Then, as reported by WSOP.com, the final four returned for a Day 4 that lasted just 90 minutes. Last year’s $18MM man, Antonio Esfandiari, became the 4th place finisher, capping an amazing back to back run in One Drop tournaments. It wasn’t long after that the well-liked and very animated Bill Perkins had his tournament life taken at the hands of Gregg. Finally, on the 80th hand of the Final Table, poker pro Chris Klodnicki was eliminated in 2nd place for a haul of $2.985MM, easily a career best, and Gregg collected all the chip and was crowned the victor.
With this massive cash, Gregg, of course, sits atop the 2013 Money List, but also moves into the top 30 on the All Time Money List, sitting at #28, according to The Hendon Mob.
Action at the 44th annual WSOP continues today with updates available on WSOP.com
 
Author: Ekaterina
01 . 07 . 2013 y.
PIV Network Owes Over €200,000, Players Report

 A number of threads on Two Plus Two are looking to coordinate the efforts of players hoping to recover balances owed to them from the PokerInVenice (PIV) Network.

According to an online post and subsequent replies, players are short upwards of €200,000 from a network that claims it no longer has the ability to pay out.
In late May the PIV network informed its players that balances could be unlocked on Play2B. To do so, players will need to play on TempuraPoker.com—a new skin set up specifically to accommodate PIV players—and generate the equivalent of 75% of their PIV account balances in rake over a five-month period.
A statement from a representative of PIVGAME Ltd sent to pokerfuse at the beginning of the month stated that the company “intends to continue to meet its commitments vis-a-vis its players,” despite “various third-party driven problems.”
“PIVGAME Ltd takes players complaints very seriously and will certainly not change such a policy despite a different perception is being vented by various third parties,” the statement read.
However, a statement still on the pivgame.com homepage urges players to take up the bonus offer on Play2b, as player balances “will be deleted from PIVGAME’s accounts” ten days following the publication of the statement.
PIV was soliciting new deposits as late as June 5. A new email promotion, sent to existing customers and obtained by pokerfuse, enticed deposits through Skrill with a 20% up to €10 bonus.
PIVgame is a hybrid online poker operation that offers a multi-platform solution across eight different poker networks, including Revolution, Merge and Play 2B. It operates the online gaming site Pokerinvenice.com and white-label implementations include Target Poker, PokerXE and 4donk.com.
Play2B offers a similar service to PIV. It has its own poker network, but its solution also integrates with the Ongame and Revolution platforms.
Both PIVgame and Play2B are regulated by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta.
Author: Ekaterina
12 . 06 . 2013 y.
Nevada Gaming Board Urges Google Glass Ban in All Casinos

 The Nevada Gaming Commission published a formal notice earlier this week urging all licensees to ban the use of Google Glass in their casinos.

“While there is nothing specifically illegal regarding the possession and/or general use of these devices, the potential for inappropriate and/or illegal use in a casino does exist,” reads the statement. “For example, these devices could be used to share card information between players in poker and other table games.”
“Therefore, the Board encourages all nonrestricted gaming licensees to prohibit the wearing and use of Google Glass, or devices with similar capabilities, while on the gaming floor or while playing any gambling game,” it recommends.
The statement follows a missive from the New Jersey’s gaming enforcement board, ordering all 12 Atlantic City casinos to implement a similar ban. Previously, individual casinos across the US had chosen to implement such policies.
Google Glass is a mobile computer device worn over bespoke glasses. A projector shows a “heads up display” in front of the user’s eyes, providing contextual information. A mounted camera allows the user to take photo and video, and the device can be controlled by simple voice commands.
Currently only available to early testers, the device aims for mass-market production next year. Its introduction received a mixed reaction from reviewers. Time magazine called it one of the “Best Inventions of the Year 2012,” although limitations of the device have drawn criticism. It has also raised privacy and safety concerns.
 
Author: Ekaterina
12 . 06 . 2013 y.
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