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Date: 2008-08-08
Author: Nick L.
Over the past six months, the Poker World has been dominated by stories concerning the UIGEA and the UltimateBet and Absolute Poker super-user scandals. For the first time in several months, nothing new on either front came out over the past week. Here’s what’s happening:
- WPT Enterprises Inc has incurred further losses in revenues to the tune of $5.1 million USD for the second quarter of 2008 alone. This loss comes as a result of decreased traffic on its Cryptologic poker skin as well as a drop in the value of television broadcast which led to its ultimate dropping from the Game Show Network. The WPT hopes to sign an official deal with Fox Sports Network in the coming weeks to broadcast its Season VII.
- Ladbrokes has found a loophole to allow US citizens to compete on its highly regarded software. Though it will not allow US players to sign up on Ladbrokes.com, Ladbrokes.com will share its high stakes players with the Microgaming Network, which already allow US participation. This move is expected to offset a portion of the recent 22% dip in profits for Ladbrokes in the first quarter of 2008.
- While much of the Industry continues to experience economic instability, Betsson has seen a second quarter revenue jump of almost 32% over last year’s. While poker has continued to fall, the online casino and sportsbook offered by Betsson have been tremendously profitable for the European giant. However, these numbers come in spite of a recent drop in the shares value of Betsson AB.
- Spain has gone online with its national lottery hoping to capitalize on the growth of the Spanish online gaming Industry. The site itself, called “loteriasyapuestas.es” features multiple lottery games including El Gordo and a number of horse racing games.
- Full Tilt’s Online Poker Series IX got underway on Wednesday August 6th with the Allen Cunningham sponsored $1,000,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool NL Hold’em tournament. The nearly $200,000 first prize was one by GARFIELD25. Upcoming events include a $300+$22 Razz tournament with Howard Lederer, a $2,500 + $120 NL Hold’em tournament with Patrik Antonius and will culminate in the Sunday August 17th $500 + $35 $2.5 million Guaranteed NL Hold’em Main Event with Chris “Jesus” Ferguson.
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