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Bwin.party Revenues Fall in First Quarter

 Revenues for bwin.party in the first three months of this year have fallen by 17 per cent year-on-year, and poker was partly responsible.

The Gibraltar headquartered company had €180.2 million of revenue in this year’s first quarter, down from €215.9 million for the same time last year. The world's largest publicly traded online gaming firm put the revenue fall down to increased regulation and its recent moves to shift its focus on areas that have regulated or are regulating online gaming.
Its poker operations, however, fell drastically in the first quarter and accounted for a fair chunk of the company’s revenue decrease. Sign ups of new players to the company’s online poker services fell as did cross-sell from the bwin.com site. This resulted in a 37 per cent decrease in first quarter revenues for poker, leading to a total €33.1 million of the company’s revenue that came from that area of bwin.party’s business.
It is an issue that has obviously affected the company, as seen by bwin.party deciding to alter its poker service, which it plans to launch later this year. The company said that the revised service is designed to “improve the revenue trajectory of [the] business”; showing that it still views poker as a core company component.
Bwin.party CEO Norbert Teufelberger said that while the declines were set to continue until the second half of the year due to the shifts, he was also upbeat about the company’s long term future and stability. Total revenue for bwin.party in 2013 is expected to fall by ten per cent in its full-year figures as it continues to restructure. The shift in focus to fewer areas, however, is set to save the company a total of €70 million over the entire year.
Teufelberger also said that a number of product launches by the company, along with the launch of poker and casino in New Jersey and cost-cutting initiatives were proof that it was not all doom and gloom for bwin.party. He also said its focus on ‘core regulated markets’ would allow the company to operate with a lower cost base which would help set the stage for future sustainable growth.
Revenues for bwin.party’s casino operations fell by 20 per cent to €57 million while sports betting fell by five per cent to €67 million. Revenues for its bingo operations fell by nine per cent to €14.2 million.
Author: Ekaterina
23 . 05 . 2013 y.
California Online Poker Bill No Sure Bet

 Efforts to license online poker continue in California but it remains to be seen if a law will emerge or if it will be “no deal,” the 2013 version. While the chairman of the Senate committee that oversees the gambling industry re-introduced 2012 legislation that would legalize online games earlier this year, a group of eight California Indian tribes released their own draft of a new bill to license and regulate online poker in California. Their version of the bill would qualify any existing licensed card room or tribal casino in California that has been in operation for at least five years prior for an online poker license.

The draft bill was created and written by leaders of eight tribes, including the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians near Temecula, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in the Coachella Valley, as well as members of a group called the California Tribal Business Alliance.
The eight tribes have invited other California tribes to provide their input “to continue to shape legislation that is pragmatic, achievable, and fair for tribes.” And they got a quick response. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians near San Bernardino, and possibly others, have worked on a plan that could emerge as early as this week.
Only recently, California was expected to be the first state in the country to license intrastate poker and take advantage of a provision in the federal law that otherwise bans online gaming. However disagreements among the state’s gambling interests have repeatedly stymied the issue and allowed other states came forward; Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey have already legalized online poker and the first legal game debuted a few weeks ago in Nevada while many of the California residents already play on illegal sites based offshore in the Isle of Mann and elsewhere.
There are some main difference between The 51-page bill by state Sen. Rod Wright, D-Inglewood, who leads the Senate Governmental Organization Committee, and the draft bill of the 8 California Indian tribes. For example Sen. Wright´s bill requires a 30$ million license fee while the tribes´ bill require only 5$ million. Tribes´ bill issue licenses for 10 years is double the five years in the Wright bill.
In the past there had been other initiatives from other tribes like The Riverside-based California Online Poker Association included the San Manuel band and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians near Banning, as well as smaller tribes and some card clubs however they had disbanded pretty quickly.
They say that the latest tribal proposal is different because it emerged from talks involving tribal leaders. Consultants and lawyers were not in the room: “It is not unusual for tribal leaders to work together on issues of great importance — and let us be clear, this is an issue of great importance to us,” Said Leslie Loche, chairwoman of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, said in a statement Monday.
State Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, also has introduced a bill to legalize online poker however it seems like a temporary attempt at the moment. Despite the discussions and bills introduced so far, no hearings have been scheduled on it this year and the future of legal online poker still remains a mystery in California.
Author: Ekaterina
23 . 05 . 2013 y.
Annie Duke Releases Statement on UltimateBet Tapes

 Poker pro Annie Duke has released a statement, distancing herself from the infamous UltimateBet cheating scandal which saw the company steal more than $50 million from its customers.

The so-called “super-user” scandal was revealed more than five years ago, however, earlier in the month, an employee of the online poker site released secret tapes of UltimateBet founder Russ Hamilton which implicate the 2004 WSOP tournament winner, Duke.
Travis Makar, Hamilton's former assistant, made public the three-hour audio tape of a 2008 meeting during which Hamilton admits the company’s employees used a tool to view poker players’ hole cards during games in order to cheat them out of millions.
The tapes also feature UltimateBet founder and CEO Greg Pierson, and attorneys Daniel Friedberg and Sanford Millar. The men discuss some of the victims of the scam, including high-profile pros Mike Matusow, Prahlad Friedman, Robert Williamson III, as well as actor and poker fan Ben Affleck.
During the discussions Hamilton mentions Phil Hellmuth and Duke, former endorsers and sponsored players for UltimateBet. Hamilton and his cohorts discuss keeping Hellmuth in the dark about the God Mode tool, but he mentions that Duke was aware of it and even used the software herself on a time delay.
However, in a statement posted on her Facebook page, Duke denies all knowledge of such a tool. Duke said:  
“Listening to the leaked audio that describes an elaborate attempt by some of UltimateBet.com’s founders, including Russ Hamilton and Greg Pierson, to cover up cheating reminds me once again how much I regret having been associated with the people that were involved in this conspiracy. The release of this audio has spurred accusations and I want to make it clear that I have never used a tool on a delay or otherwise that gave me or anyone else access to hole cards for use during real money play nor was I aware that such a tool existed until the scandal broke.”
Her statement goes on to say that she regrets how long it took for those who were cheated to receive their money back and that she never would have been involved with the company had she known what was going on.
“The data dump from Travis Makar and others also make it completely clear who the perpetrators of the UltimateBet.com cheating were, and that I was not involved in their scheme in any way,” she adds. “At one point Russ Hamilton mischaracterizes my legitimate role as a commentator as he tries to concoct a cover story for his scheme. I can only assume that he is referring to the several times that I commentated on tournaments in which a delayed broadcast was provided to the public, as this was the only delay that I was ever aware of.”
Duke said that she only provided commentary as the poker matches were played live and broadcast on a delay so as “to avoid affecting play”.
“The screen that I saw was captured and streamed onto the internet along with my commentary so anyone who tuned into the broadcast saw exactly the same screen that I saw. The broadcast delay was designed to protect the integrity of the game by making sure that the hands my co-commentators and I were commenting on would be finished BEFORE our commentary was broadcast on the internet.”
Her statement also includes paragraphs from co-commentator John Vorhaus and UltimateBet’s former Pro Relations Manager Joanne Priam.  Vorhaus says:
 “I worked alongside Annie Duke doing play-by-play and color commentary on UltimateBetonline poker tournaments during the mid-2000s.  The use of a delay function during those broadcasts was for the express purpose of ensuring that our  commentary didn't inadvertently give information to the tournament players and had no connection whatsoever with the so-called ‘super-user scandal’.”
Priam adds:
“Annie agreed to participate as a commentator only if we could ensure that there was enough of a small delay in the broadcast so that we could avoid any live commentating affecting players’ behavior in the event they were listening. After it was confirmed the delay was feasible she agreed to commentate. It is my understanding that during the tournament, Annie was isolated in a recording studio with only a screen in which to report on and that she did not have access to a computer in which to log on to UB, view hole cards or interact in any way with players.”
UltimateBet closed shortly after the scandal.
 
Author: Ekaterina
23 . 05 . 2013 y.
Infiniti Poker Delays Launch

 Infiniti Poker, a new U.S.-friendly poker site that had projected a launch date of some time this spring, has postponed its roll out until the summer months.

"We are very pleased to update to all of our members that the final phase of our development is now in full swing and we thank all of you who continue to participate in our public beta test program," said an Infiniti Poker press release. "Your feedback continues to be very helpful and in the end will ensure the resounding success of Infiniti Poker's upcoming launch which is now slated for July-August of 2013. "
Upon officially launching, the innovative site plans to allow U.S. players to use Bitcoin digital currency in order to participate with rest-of-world players who will be afforded additional deposit options. Bitcoins are currently used as a payment processing function on only a few sites, most notably mobile operator Switch Poker and the U.S.-facing Seals With Clubs. But other more well-known poker rooms are reportedly considering adding Bitcoin to their online cashier cages.
Infiniti also has its sights on revolutionizing the poker webcam experience. While rooms such as 888 and Pokerview have toyed with the inclusion of a social and live element to online play via webcams, Infiniti Poker will be the first to introduce “Peripheral Resolution Interface.” Not yet available during the testing phase, PRI will seemingly allow players to view the action similar to the way its done at a live table. A player's main focus will be directed at the player of his or her choice, but a peripheral vision will also allow a view of players sitting on either side.
As explained on the Infiniti Poker Facebook page, "The Peripheral Resolution Interface (PRI) will allow you to change your POV of the table from Overhead Camera View to a virtual table setting." In order to focus on a particular player, simply click a '3D View' button to do so.
A select number of tables will have the webcam availability, which Infiniti is referring to as "Infinivision." Many posters at online poker forums have criticized webcam usage at previous poker rooms as being lame. Though attempts have been made to foster a more social "live table" atmosphere, the result has often been far from the intended goal. Time will tell if Infinivision's PRI concept will add to the online poker playing experience.
Infiniti Poker has lined up several pros in advance of its launch. Edwardo "Swag" Jackson, Jason Stern and Gavin Smith are all part of Team Infiniti, with Smith chosen for the role of team captain.
Author: Ekaterina
22 . 05 . 2013 y.
Empire and Intech Announce Agreement

 It has been announced that US company Empire Global Gaming has collaborated with fellow American company Intech Creative LLC to add an online gaming service to its business.

The move follows the expansion of the online poker industry in the state of Nevada – where Empire Global Gaming is incorporated – and the regulation of online gaming in a number of other US states. Other states, such as California, Illinois and Pennsylvania, currently have bills in their legislature that, if passed, would legally permit online gaming in their respective jurisdictions.
This makes the legal online gaming market in the US as attractive as ever, which is something shown by Empire and Intech’s collaboration. As a result of the regulation of online gaming, there is certainly major potential for gaming, especially poker, to once again rise in popularity in the US. Figuratively speaking, this has created a pie that Empire Global Gaming and Intech Creative would both like a piece of.
Headquartered in New York, Empire Global Gaming currently provides custom game manufacturing, supplies, gaming solutions and custom game marketing as the core aspect of their business. The company also has exclusive licenses for proprietary Class II and Class III grade table games and offers consulting and advisory services to businesses in the gaming industry.
By being a recognised business in the US casino and gaming industry, Empire’s planned expansion into online gaming may be successful for the company. Empire Global Gaming Founder and President Nicholas Sorge Jr. said incorporating on online gaming service into the company was highly significant. “It is our mission to stay on the cutting edge of this technology driven Industry and the enhancement of our website is the first step in doing so,” he said.
Also based in New York, but organised in Delaware with offices in India and Argentina, Intech Creative LLC partakes in the development of mobile apps, websites, custom programming and cloud solutions for companies over a large spectrum of industries.
If its venture with Empire Global Gaming is successful in producing a solid online gaming service, it could provide further opportunities for Intech Creative LLC to expand into what looks to be a rapidly growing industry. This was recognised by Intech's CEO Bruce Dugan, who expressed his delight at the opportunity to collaborate with Empire on creating an online gaming service.
A date for the launch of an Empire/Intech online gaming service has not yet been set.
 
Author: Ekaterina
22 . 05 . 2013 y.
Bermuda Government Silent on Gaming Says Opposition Leader

 Bermuda’s opposition leader has put that territory’s Premier to task over what he sees as the lack of progress in regulating gaming on the island.

Marc Bean put his views forward on the territory’s Bernews outlet, saying the Government has made no movement on gaming regulation five months into its term. Mr Bean, whose Progressive Labour Party (PLP) supports a public referendum on the issue, said it was crucial that a referendum on gaming be held in Bermuda sooner rather than later.
“Gaming will represent a tremendous shift in our tourism business model and brings with it numerous challenges and opportunities,” he said. “The PLP supports a referendum, the machinery is in place to have a referendum, the premier said the money is in the budget for a referendum, and the Gaming Referenda Act has already been written.”
Bermuda’s Premier Craig Cannonier responded to Mr Bean’s critique by reiterating his Government’s commitment for a referendum on gaming to be held, but that further work needed to be done. Mr Cannonier said that a framework for a gaming industry in the British Overseas territory was a significant issue that the Government was continuing to look at.
“I don’t want to put an exact date on (the referendum), because again this is a collaborative effort we need to be talking to PLP, and sometimes that can lengthen out the process,” he said. “But again it is our endeavour to bring it before the House this session… We believe it needs to go to referendum.”
A study done by the US-based Innovation Group undertaken under the previous Government of Bermuda stated that gaming regulation could create up to 3,000 jobs and up to $146 million a year to Bermuda’s economy. This could possibly help the island territory curb its gradually rising unemployment rate which, according to the BBC, currently exceeds eight per cent, a three and a half per cent increase in four years. The $146 million would also be a significant injection into a territory of roughly 64,700 inhabitants.
The potential economic benefits of gaming regulation in Bermuda were also cited by Mr Bean in his calls to hold a public referendum. “We have the Breakaway that has just arrived in Bermuda with 3,500 people, combined with 1,500 – 2,000 passengers on another cruise ship,” he said. “With 5,000 people visiting Bermuda, what is it truly there for them to do? Gaming has been identified as one of the amenities which can be provided to our guests.”
If the results of the Innovation Group study are correct, the regulation of gaming in Bermuda would also fulfil one of the Premier’s major election promises in one hit. Mr Cannonier pledged that his Government would help create 2,000 new jobs on the island during the course of the new parliament.
Some members of Bermuda’s religious community, however, do not wish for those jobs to be created by a gaming industry. A number of religious groups have joined forces the ‘United to Change’ group, which opposes any regulation of gaming in the territory.
Author: Ekaterina
21 . 05 . 2013 y.
Poker Game Ends in Face Stabbing

 According to reports, 35-year-old Lewis Maxwell and his cousin, 42-year-old Stephen Steward, got into an argument over Maxwell’s 14-year-old son, after the youth won $600 during the game.

The game was eventually abandoned as tensions escalated between the players, but not before Steward had asked Maxwell and his wife for a ride home.
As the three were driving, Steward became aggressive and punched Maxwell’s wife. Maxwell then pulled into a petrol station where all parties exited the vehicle. That was followed by a physical fight where Steward kicked and punched Maxwell who also suffered a head injury.
Maxwell then took out a knife during the fight and stabbed Steward in the face and abdomen before getting back into the vehicle with his wife returning to their home.
Steward was eventually transported to the Univeristy of New Mexico Hospital where he is still listed in serious condition. Maxwell was transported with nonlife-threatening injuries and was later released only to appear before a judge on Sunday, who raised his bail bond to $25,000 and sent him back into custody.
“The allegations based on the complaint are serious enough that I think a higher bond is required,” a judge told Maxwell during a hearing. “You are not going to talk about this case.”
Maxwell is to be charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon resulting in great bodily harm and tampering with evidence while Steward will also be charged with battery.
Author: Ekaterina
21 . 05 . 2013 y.
WPT and TransGaming Announce Partnership

 World Poker Tour (WPT) Enterprises has announced a partnership with social video games developer TransGaming to launch a new WPT-branded game on the GameTree TV gaming platform.

The new game will be made specifically for the Freebox Revolution, a ‘latest generation’ set-top box created by the French telecommunication company Free. TransGaming has said that the game will feature capabilities such as Multi-screen support and Multi-player gameplay which will give players an experience that “mirrors World Poker Tour TV programming”.
President for WPT Enterprises Adam Pliska said the partnership would give its fans a greater, better and more interactive involvement in poker via its newly created video game.
“WPT is known for providing its players with incredible poker experiences both in live events and online,” he said.  “We couldn't be more pleased with our new game from TransGaming, which gives our global fan base an immersive and authentic WPT experience on their connected televisions.”
The game is also set to include an exact replica of the World Poker Tour stage as well as original voiceovers from the show's on-air personalities. It will also include a range of micro-transaction capabilities that will allow players to purchase products, such as poker chips, while they play a tournament.
Chief Executive Officer and President for TransGaming Vikas Gupta said the deal to produce the game will be mutually beneficial to TransGaming, WPT and poker fans alike. "When we saw the possibilities that GameTree TV offers, we felt strongly that World Poker Tour needed to be on it. It will be a true-to-life World Poker Tour experience that our fans will love,” Mr Gupta said.
“We have seen strong traction and revenue growth since our migration to a subscription-only model with GameTree TV and the availability of WPT is expected to catalyse this growth… We are going to set the bar for quality gaming with World Poker Tour that will drive gaming to the forefront of Smart TV based living room entertainment.”
While an exact date for the launch of the game has not yet been set, the Canadian-based software gaming company has said it is expected to be launched sometime in the fall.
Author: Ekaterina
20 . 05 . 2013 y.
Oregon Poker Room Bill Debated

 A bill that would close poker rooms in the US state of Oregon went under preliminary debate before a panel of state lawmakers this week.

The debate showed that the issue is divisive within Oregon’s legislature, with a number of representatives voicing their staunch opinions both for and against the bill. One view that was put forward for the bill was that of its sponsor, Republican Party Representative Julie Parrish. Ms Parrish, who had previously described poker rooms as being akin to “hookah lounges”, said that poker operations throughout Oregon were operating outside of social gaming statutes.
Ms Parrish elaborated on that assertion by stating poker rooms and clubs in the state charge cover fees for entry into their venues, act as the bank for poker chips and dealers often receive tips from players. This would be in breach of current Oregon laws which state poker rooms are only permitted to earn income from sales of food and beverages, not from the poker games taking place on their premises.
A lobbyist for a number of Oregon’s poker rooms and establishments was also present at the debate. Geoff Sugerman, who described himself as a frequent player of tournaments at poker clubs in the state, said poker rooms have done all they could to comply with existing laws they are obligated to operate under.
"We should be applauding and helping their entrepreneurial spirit, not trying to shut them down," Mr Sugarman said at the debate. “These folks are not felons. They have never been raided, shut down or even cited.”
Another pro-bill figure present at debate was attorney Tom Rask, who first aired concerns to Ms Parrish regarding Oregon poker rooms. Mr Rask said that there was “no question” that illegal poker facilities were operating in the state, especially in Portland, Oregon’s largest city.   
Mr Rask, however, also represents poker and card rooms in the town of La Center in the state of Washington. La Center, a town of roughly 2,800 people, is situated approximately 42km from Portland and is home to four gaming establishments which only allow poker and other card games to be played.
Four card rooms in such a small town would more than likely mean that gaming is a solid contributor to La Center’s economy. Any legislative moves in Oregon that would result in the closure of Oregon poker rooms would, obviously, leave Oregionians with no legal place in their state to play the game.
This would make the card rooms at La Center a more favourable option for Oregonian poker players who still wish to play poker in a legal setting, given the reasonable distance between the two areas. It is unfair, at this stage, to imply and assume that Mr Rask has ulterior motives by speaking in support of the bill at the debate. However, it is fair to believe poker rooms in La Center would gain a greater number of clientele from Oregon if this bill passes and poker rooms in Oregon are forced to close down.
In its present from, the bill would limit the playing of poker to religious, fraternal and charitable organizations. At this stage, it is unclear whether or not the bill will be voted on in the Oregon legislature before August, which is when the legislature’s session ends.
Author: Ekaterina
20 . 05 . 2013 y.
New Jersey Releases Draft Internet Wagering Regulations

 The state of New Jersey released a draft proposal of internet wagering regulations on Friday. The official proposed regulations will be made public on June 3, 2013, at which point a 60-day public comment period will ensue.

The draft was released to allow interested parties additional time to familiarize themselves with the regulations before the comment period begins, according to a letter distributed to stakeholders and obtained by pokerfuse. However, the Division of Gaming Enforcement emphasizes that “[t]he text of the proposal is unofficial until published in the NJ Register.”
Written comments may be submitted to Lon Mamolen, Deputy Attorney General for the state of New jersey at 1300 Atlantic Avenue, 4th Floor, Atlantic City, NJ 08401.
Per a public statement from David Rebuck, Director of the DGE, following the end of the comment period on August 2, the DGE will review and respond to all comments.
As required by state law, the DGE will announce the launch date for online wagering in New Jersey “at least 45 days prior to commencement.”
New jersey Governor Chris Christie signed the online gambling bill into law on February 26, 2013 after conditionally vetoing the bill and suggesting changes that included higher taxes on operators and a 10-year sunset provision.
In 2011, Christie vetoed similar legislation. However, that was before the US Department of Justice revised its opinion that it no longer considers online gaming to be in violation of the Wire Act.
New Jersey became the third US state to legalize online gambling. Delaware recently selected its primary vendor, with Scientific Games to be its main gaming provider and 888Poker to supply poker software.
Nevada is currently in the midst of a trial period with online poker provider Ultimate Poker.
Author: Ekaterina
17 . 05 . 2013 y.
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