February 2012 Poker Events
Calendar of Poker Events for February 2012 brought to you by holdemouts.com
Poker News
PLAYING POKER ONLINE SECRETS
2011-02-08
Poker is a game, which is not luck-based but requires skills. The winning of the game is not left on fate, as is in the case of games like keno or bingo. A good player always learns the strategies and applies them with poise, precision, and audacity.
Winning a pot is not difficult but the focus of the players should be to win money. If the player is interested in winning the boats, then, he or she has to accept all the bets until the end of the game. Following such a strategy like this, results in the loss of more money. Playing with only a few hands, but in an aggressive manner, maximizes the player’s gain by favoring them with the odds. The player’s aim should be winning money and not playing many games of poker. This is because too many plays can result in the loss of money. It is good to believe that the saved money is also like winning money; therefore, it is very important to be intelligent enough to know when to gamble and when to retire. The players who are dependent only on their luck to make them win are considered the losers in the gambling field. Hope is useful to overcome the various problems and challenges of life, but in the poker game, it acts as a death sentence.
The player should use the strategies rather than the hopes to win the game. It is recommended to be selective and aggressive to play poker online. The use of selection and aggression is what sets the winners apart from the full of hope losers. When the cards are dealt, the odds change. The winners would always recognize when the situation is in their favor and subsequently win the game. On the other hand, when they feel that their winning chances are less, they take the required precautions. No matter how any games a player wins, a good player is always cautious about playing and retires when they feel the odds are not favoring them.
Selection and aggression sometimes is not a good combination to play poker online. When this combination is not favoring the player, the player then has to be diligent enough to know when to retire and when to attack. The opponent players will recognize the trend followed by you, if your aggression does not come to par with your strategy. Then what follows is that the opponents would wait for a bigger game where you place your bets higher and then win the bets when the odds are in their favor. On the other hand, if you play passively, then you might not be able to earn enough to cover up the amount lost in the games and the money paid as rake to sites.
The players should play only the best plays since the beginning. Correct plays will remove the weaker players. The poker game is all about earning the most with the strong plays and losing the least when the plays are weak. The online poker games give you an advantage of just playing to observe the other player’s strategies and moves more than playing for money. When confrontation is done in a round, the player should remember the pattern followed by the opponent from the start. With consistent practice and playing, you will be able to make out the playing style of other players and play accordingly. With the use of online poker, you should use the position, which means power in the poker. You should behave the way your opponents are behaving, and, this will help you know the strategies of others without disclosing yours. Poker is a game where decisions are important but not all of them. What are important are the things that happen. However, the blame for a lost game will go to the decisions taken, but that loss will help us gain something more significant for future games. Head over the fastest growing poker room for USA players today www.sportsbook.com/poker with state of the art features and a easy to use client, this will be the last online poker site you will ever want to play at.
D'ANGELO CLAIMS THIRD ONLINE POKER BRACELET
2010-09-27
Young pro takes WCOOP event 55 to become the first player to own 3 WCOOP bracelets
Ryan D'Angelo, a 24-year-old online poker pro who hails from Binghamton, NY, became the first man to hold three winner's bracelets in the Pokerstars World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) over the weekend when he took down event 55; a $530 buy-in NLHE competition with re-buys.
The young player, who went professional three years ago, took home the winner's prize of almost $200 000 along with the record-setting bracelet. D'Angelo won his first two bracelets in the 2009 WCOOP series.
1 066 players entered for the event, which culminated in a heads up between D’Angelo and Ravi “govshark2” Raghaven after the duo agreed to a chop, ultimately giving Raghaven a second placing payday of $179 450.
During the event, which achieved a prize pool of $1 229 000, there were 746 re-buys and 646 add-ons.
Prior to his win this weekend, D'Angelo’s biggest online cash had been $17 370, achieved in a Pokerstars tourney in 2007.
INFOPOWA SPECIAL - the first in a series of features on major companies in the internet gambling industry.
ONLINE GAMBLING REGULATION OPENS THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY
And industry software developer Microgaming is ready to enter...
The trend for individual governments to regulate, license and tax online gambling is now firmly established, especially in the more progressive environment of Europe, and that's a good thing, opined Roger Raatgever this week.
The energetic chief executive officer of veteran industry software developer Microgaming was speaking at the Isle of Man launch of his company's latest branded game The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, themed on the blockbuster movie trilogy The Lord of the Rings.
Raatgever believes that the strong move to regulatory instead of prohibitionary or monopolistic regimes is a positive evolution for the industry, and one which he intends to ensure benefits both his company and its licensees.
"Regulated markets are happening, and Microgaming will be at the forefront of those industry companies who are ready to meet the toughest licensing requirements for their licensees," he said.
"This is something we have been waiting for; and it will additionally enable us to dispel negative myths and misperceptions about the industry by demonstrating our professionalism and the considerable technological developments now available to defend against under-aged or problem gamblers, money laundering and other concerns of those who oppose internet gambling."
Microgaming is a respected and acknowledged pioneer in this dynamic global industry, and in the early 'nineties was among the first to develop the ingenious software that enables companies to safely bring the action and excitement of gambling in its diverse forms to the punters' PCs, laptops and mobile phones via the internet.
The rapid development of underlying industry technologies has enabled Microgaming to build up an enviable reputation as a creator and purveyor of quality games - an inventory of around 500 at last count - and the complex back end administrative and marketing systems used by online casino, poker room and sportsbook operators who licence the software.
Working with associate company Spin3, it was also one of the first to start developing the mobile gambling business model and software, a global enterprise that is now gaining significant momentum and has been independently estimated to be worth $48 billion by 2015.
Raatgever says the company's approach is built upon a commitment to quality, a keen interest in what players want, technological progress and innovation. The company was the first to bring concepts like big money progressive jackpots, player accessible information on financial and betting records, mobile wagering, and the use of major movie and videogaming brands in slots to the online environment.
"There are many companies in this industry that are models of customer care, corporate governance, fiscal responsibility and professional business conduct, and we intend to remain among them in the new and exciting world of regulatory opportunity now opening up," he said.
Ensuring that the company retains the capability to do that, are development teams on nearly every continent around the world; an impressive talent pool of over 1,000 people. Raatgever presides over the group from his 80-employee head office in Douglas on the Isle of Man, a location ideally positioned in a geographic sense with an advanced communications infrastructure and a business-friendly legal environment.
Last week saw the opening of a newly refurbished live dealer studio providing feeds to service the growing demand around the world for live dealer gambling over the internet. As with all Microgaming initiatives, the objective is to extend the range of options available to licensees when areas of business opportunity are identified.
Given the size and success of the organisation, several industry analysts have on occasion speculated why Microgaming has not been publicly listed - a course taken by many smaller industry companies in the past.
Raatgever does not favour the idea, saying that the private company business model is best suited to his company, which has no need to go public to attract capital. "In fact I regard the private nature of our company as an absolute competitive advantage in that it enables us to maintain security on projects until we are ready to move to market," he says.
Similarly, there has been conjecture that Microgaming has the wherewithal to be both software provider and an operator in its own right, a proposition firmly discarded by Raatgever. "We are essentially a technology oriented company," he notes. "We prefer to stick to our knitting, which we know and do rather well, and leave the operational side to our licensees or partners," he says.
"We've had approaches, but we're not interested."
Finance Director John Coleman supports Raatgever, confirming that he has turned away many approaches: "You might say that we could be defined by the deals we have turned down in this area," he observes. "But we have our own imperatives, which are the provision of top product at a fair price, and a commitment to a service oriented partnership with our licensees."
Raatgever sees trends other than the moves to regulation ongoing in the industry, namely consolidation, technological convergence and the continued growth of strong competition; all areas which he has constantly under review, with planning and preparation dictated by ongoing research into player demands, technology advances and new gaming trends.
With one eye on the competition, Microgaming, in common with other providers, has adopted a more flexible approach in providing specific products to clients as well as complete packages. One area it has entered is the cross-platform trend whereby operators offer their players a range of games from different providers, all integrated into the same administrative platform. High profile operator Virgin Games is among the latest to advertise new games from Microgaming on its multi-provider platform.
New poker products
Another of the highly competitive market sectors in which Microgaming is active is online poker.
Head of Poker Lydia Melton says that her teams have been preparing for two major events on the production calendar: the introduction of the new downloadable Microgaming 3D poker software, and the launch of a new novice-oriented Flash poker product.
Microgaming's software is also available through Prima Networks Limited which is currently engaged in launching a dedicated French poker network as a result of a joint venture with 888 Holding's PLC. Initially comprised of four client operator companies, this joint venture into the French market has achieved the most approved licenses from the French regulator ARJEL to date.
The company has also been quietly getting on with its own approach to the 'poker ecosystem' where the problems associated with balancing the ratio of relatively inexperienced 'fish' against more skilled 'sharks' has been stimulating debate in the industry for some time.
Microgaming's approach is multi-pronged, involving monthly rake reconciliation and encouraging licensees to adopt a far more wide-ranging marketing approach. This is designed to bring in more recreational players, giving the network a better business balance despite the higher acquisition costs.
The Flash poker product is particularly interesting, enabling Mac players to access the action, and at the same time presenting novice players with a 'One Click' simplified choice that does not delay or intimidate and makes site navigation easy.
The new product is already live on Unibet's Maria Poker site, along with Nordicbet and Ladbrokes, and features play for real or fun and a selection of tournaments, sit n'
goes and cash game options.
Sports book operators are reportedly showing an interest in taking the Flash product on board as an additional player service, with the added benefit that Flash clients have shown good conversion rates to download games as they progress.
The move toward more complex 3D poker is another example of Microgaming's preparedness to extend its technology reach. High profile companies like PKR currently occupying the downloadable 3D poker space will find themselves under growing competitive pressure from the new MGS offering, which may prove to be faster, yet carries the same level of customisable avatars and varied perspective views.
Again, the company's push in this direction is intended to provide licensees with the widest possible selection of player-attracting products.
Bringing famous brands to the online environment
Poker is just part of the jigsaw for the Isle of Man based Product Team, whose international remit covers everything from research to brand licensing and game development.
The past nine months has been a busy period with the development teams bringing to fruition the first game in The Lord of the Rings trilogy as a multi-featured flagship game which captures the spirit, characters and atmosphere of the big-screen impact of the blockbuster movie.
Development was preceded by an exhaustive licensing and approval process which involved exacting standards at Warner Brothers which has been delighted with the final product.
Microgaming is no stranger to the branded content process, having held rights to the Tomb Raider brand since 2004. New game formats, player demands, technology advances and convergence in delivery systems are just a few of the elements where it is imperativefor software companies like Microgaming to stay at the sharp edge.
Is the UK bingo market saturated?
Pessimists who claim that the online bingo sector is at saturation point will find a spirited debate from Neill Whyte, Head of Bingo for Microgaming.
"We've been involved in this burgeoning market segment since 2008 and now have 8 brands on our network," Whyte says.
Online bingo is a $2 billion-a-year business with particular focus in the UK, where there are an estimated 300+ brands operating, and to a growing extent in Western Europe and the Nordic countries.
"As much as 70 percent of the business is in Europe at present, mostly in the UK," Whyte observes.
Competition is fierce, with bingo providers like 888's Dragonfish, Playtech's Virtue Fusion and the independent Cozy Games all active.
Microgaming concentrates on quality, entertaining and diverse content and product diversification, leaving its operators free to focus on customer care and marketing.
Whyte sees the currently hot topic of free bingo play as a potential acquisition and retention tool, but feels there is a need to sensibly balance free play with real play, with industry pundits pretty evenly split on its true value to business.
Independent estimates from respected research firms have predicted that global growth is set to continue at anything up to 30 percent, including the UK.
Interestingly, bingo players are seriously into side games, with as much as 60 to 70 percent of revenues emanating from this source. Microgaming thrives in this department, with a massive inventory of innovative games and the capability to deploy these into the bingo sites, increasing player pull.
Microgaming's development teams have so far provided licensees with some 300+ instant-play Flash side games, mostly well-proven 5 reel slots....and there are plenty more in the group inventory.
Progressive jackpot, scratch card and AWP interactive pub slot games are all popular as side games, which are used extensively by players.
"We listen very carefully to what players are saying and what they want," says Whyte. "We invest in pre-testing and extensive research with the changing demographics of bingo players, which now embrace a younger and more equally balanced gender profile.
"Bingo players tend to spend less per visit, but play more often and stay longer, providing operators with better life-of-customer longevity."
The current focus for Microgaming bingo is a major upgrade to the software, which bingo fans will see on their screens some time in the upcoming months.
Keeping pace with regulation
Microgaming execs Chris Hobbs in Corporate Affairs and Andy Clucas in Regulated Markets are seeing their company roles become significantly more demanding as the regulatory trend spreads through Europe.
With the formidable task of keeping pace with a multitude of legal changes and developments, they ensure that the company is ready at any time to support its licensees in entering newly regulated markets by meeting the diverse requirements of individual regulators.
Their 'campaign map' covers a growing number of licenses already obtained, those in process and timelines for the implementation of new regulated markets that stretch from the present to 2012 - a veritable patchwork of nations and dynamic time estimates.
"There are clearly advantages for existing or potential licensees where Microgaming is already established or is well prepared to enter new markets," Hobbs notes." Our responsibility is to ensure that the company maintains that positioning."
Hobbs refuses to be drawn on the complex and troublesome US market, where the authorities have decided on a prohibitionary approach to online gambling but moves are afoot to reverse this negative direction.
"Clearly we watch developments closely, but the situation remains very fluid at present," he says, concluding that the manner in which he and colleague Clucas work is thorough, cautious and measured.
Responsible management
CEO Raatgever returns to the subject of perceptions as the visit ends, observing that educating interested parties on the positive aspects of the industry is important.
"There are many highly professional companies in this business who go above and beyond in maintaining high standards of corporate responsibility, integrity and professional behaviour - it's important to get that perspective out there to dispel the myths - some of them maliciously created - about the industry.
"The fact that little cash changes hands in online gambling, because credit or debit cards are used, ensures a high degree of trackability that is anathema to organised crime and fraudsters.
"Once you explain the breadth of reliability and accurate tracking systems in online gambling, and the conscientious precautions taken by operators to obviate concerns about underage or problem gambling, fraud and money laundering, many critics are surprised into a reappraisal."
Turning to fair and safe software, Raatgever points out that tier one companies in the business, including his own, go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that their software is independently tested and monitored.
In collaboration with two major competitors, Microgaming invested substantially in the creation of the independent eCOGRA seven years ago; a London-based stand-alone player protection and standards organisation that mediates player disputes, sets international standards of business and responsible gambling conduct for the industry, and tests and monitors operators who volunteer to meet its tough requirements.
Since then the professionally-staffed organisation has become self-funding and has earned the respect of regulators, trade associations like the influential European Gambling and Betting Association and major international companies unconnected with the original founders.
"eCOGRA has now achieved the goals that we set for it, which has made the internet gambling environment a safer place for players, and has simultaneously improved operating standards throughout the industry," Raatgever observed.
"I believe this is indicative of the serious approach to business and player care that characterises a significant and growing proportion of industry businessmen.
"We are a business with very strong professional commitments to fairness, efficiency and legality," he concludes.
ALL IN ENERGY DRINK BUILDING A POKER PRO TEAM
2010-07-20
Big names in Team All In
The branded energy drink ‘All In’, a subsidiary of the Nevada-based Kore Nutrition Inc group, has announced the formation of a mainly US-based professional poker team dubbed Team All In.
The most recent signing for the team is two-time WSOP main event champion and multi-bracelet winner poker pro Johnny Chan.
Consisting of some of the most respected poker professionals in the game, "Team All In” will represent the energy drink company as endorsers of the brand and it's products. Members of the team will wear branded badges, clothing and apparel for all public appearances and televised events effective immediately.
"This is a positive step for poker as there are not a lot of endorsement deals for players beyond the poker playing websites", said Chan, "This relationship is extremely beneficial for both groups and it is an honour to be in the company of such a prestigious group of poker players."
Team All In will initially consist of Chan, Billy Baxter, Freddy Deeb, Eli Elezra, Maria Ho, John Phan, Tim Phan and Lee Watkinson, said the company’s CEO, Jeffrey Todd.
“These well-known, elite level players will provide brand awareness for the company as they compete in the poker world's most significant events. They will be seen on shows such as Poker After Dark, the World Poker Tour, and the World Series of Poker on ESPN, where all of them have earned multiple cashes and titles in the past,” he said.
Team All In will be expanded to include more famous poker professionals during the year ahead, with discussions already in progress to reach beyond poker and bring in well-known professionals from different sports and genres.
SOUTH TO LEAVE CARDRUNNERS
2010-04-29
Poker pro says he is too thinly stretched to continue
One of the owners of the online poker coaching site CardRunners, Cole South, has announced that he is to depart the company due to pressure of too many commitments. It is not known whether South was bought out by his partners.
South, who famously (and allegedly with a little help from his friends) took the mysterious Swedish online high stakes player Isildur1 down for over $4 million in one Full Tilt nosebleed session, was part owner, instructor and blogger on the site.
This week South blogged: "In the past year I have at the same time been a full time student, a professional poker player, and an owner/instructor of a poker training site, and I've found myself spread too thin. Leaving Cardrunners has been an incredibly tough decision for me, but it will allow me to focus on playing poker and completing my degree.
LIVE DEALER PROVIDER ACCREDITED BY ALDERNEY
2009-12-15
Milestone development, says Entertasia
Live dealer online gambling provider Entertasia has successfully met the requirements of the Section 7 of the Alderney eGambling Ordinance to secure a category 2 licence from the island regulator.
"With this achievement, we shall continue to develop of our company; we believe that the range of gaming products and platforms are critical to success, but more importantly, we have to maintain our service standards to world-class standards," said Jason Chan, the CEO of Entertasia, adding that the company's aim is to establish an excellent global telecommunication network in order to widen the international market and to fulfill diverse demands from world-wide operators.
"We believe that the achievement of this milestone in our development as a business will further enhance our position [in the market]," he said.
Based in Macau, and founded in 2005 Entertasia is a comprehensive gaming software company that offers a variety of software for both land-based and Internet gaming operators. Its flagship product is live dealer gambling over the Internet.
2011-02-08
Poker is a game, which is not luck-based but requires skills. The winning of the game is not left on fate, as is in the case of games like keno or bingo. A good player always learns the strategies and applies them with poise, precision, and audacity.
Winning a pot is not difficult but the focus of the players should be to win money. If the player is interested in winning the boats, then, he or she has to accept all the bets until the end of the game. Following such a strategy like this, results in the loss of more money. Playing with only a few hands, but in an aggressive manner, maximizes the player’s gain by favoring them with the odds. The player’s aim should be winning money and not playing many games of poker. This is because too many plays can result in the loss of money. It is good to believe that the saved money is also like winning money; therefore, it is very important to be intelligent enough to know when to gamble and when to retire. The players who are dependent only on their luck to make them win are considered the losers in the gambling field. Hope is useful to overcome the various problems and challenges of life, but in the poker game, it acts as a death sentence.
The player should use the strategies rather than the hopes to win the game. It is recommended to be selective and aggressive to play poker online. The use of selection and aggression is what sets the winners apart from the full of hope losers. When the cards are dealt, the odds change. The winners would always recognize when the situation is in their favor and subsequently win the game. On the other hand, when they feel that their winning chances are less, they take the required precautions. No matter how any games a player wins, a good player is always cautious about playing and retires when they feel the odds are not favoring them.
Selection and aggression sometimes is not a good combination to play poker online. When this combination is not favoring the player, the player then has to be diligent enough to know when to retire and when to attack. The opponent players will recognize the trend followed by you, if your aggression does not come to par with your strategy. Then what follows is that the opponents would wait for a bigger game where you place your bets higher and then win the bets when the odds are in their favor. On the other hand, if you play passively, then you might not be able to earn enough to cover up the amount lost in the games and the money paid as rake to sites.
The players should play only the best plays since the beginning. Correct plays will remove the weaker players. The poker game is all about earning the most with the strong plays and losing the least when the plays are weak. The online poker games give you an advantage of just playing to observe the other player’s strategies and moves more than playing for money. When confrontation is done in a round, the player should remember the pattern followed by the opponent from the start. With consistent practice and playing, you will be able to make out the playing style of other players and play accordingly. With the use of online poker, you should use the position, which means power in the poker. You should behave the way your opponents are behaving, and, this will help you know the strategies of others without disclosing yours. Poker is a game where decisions are important but not all of them. What are important are the things that happen. However, the blame for a lost game will go to the decisions taken, but that loss will help us gain something more significant for future games. Head over the fastest growing poker room for USA players today www.sportsbook.com/poker with state of the art features and a easy to use client, this will be the last online poker site you will ever want to play at.
D'ANGELO CLAIMS THIRD ONLINE POKER BRACELET
2010-09-27
Young pro takes WCOOP event 55 to become the first player to own 3 WCOOP bracelets
Ryan D'Angelo, a 24-year-old online poker pro who hails from Binghamton, NY, became the first man to hold three winner's bracelets in the Pokerstars World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) over the weekend when he took down event 55; a $530 buy-in NLHE competition with re-buys.
The young player, who went professional three years ago, took home the winner's prize of almost $200 000 along with the record-setting bracelet. D'Angelo won his first two bracelets in the 2009 WCOOP series.
1 066 players entered for the event, which culminated in a heads up between D’Angelo and Ravi “govshark2” Raghaven after the duo agreed to a chop, ultimately giving Raghaven a second placing payday of $179 450.
During the event, which achieved a prize pool of $1 229 000, there were 746 re-buys and 646 add-ons.
Prior to his win this weekend, D'Angelo’s biggest online cash had been $17 370, achieved in a Pokerstars tourney in 2007.
INFOPOWA SPECIAL - the first in a series of features on major companies in the internet gambling industry.
ONLINE GAMBLING REGULATION OPENS THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY
And industry software developer Microgaming is ready to enter...
The trend for individual governments to regulate, license and tax online gambling is now firmly established, especially in the more progressive environment of Europe, and that's a good thing, opined Roger Raatgever this week.
The energetic chief executive officer of veteran industry software developer Microgaming was speaking at the Isle of Man launch of his company's latest branded game The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, themed on the blockbuster movie trilogy The Lord of the Rings.
Raatgever believes that the strong move to regulatory instead of prohibitionary or monopolistic regimes is a positive evolution for the industry, and one which he intends to ensure benefits both his company and its licensees.
"Regulated markets are happening, and Microgaming will be at the forefront of those industry companies who are ready to meet the toughest licensing requirements for their licensees," he said.
"This is something we have been waiting for; and it will additionally enable us to dispel negative myths and misperceptions about the industry by demonstrating our professionalism and the considerable technological developments now available to defend against under-aged or problem gamblers, money laundering and other concerns of those who oppose internet gambling."
Microgaming is a respected and acknowledged pioneer in this dynamic global industry, and in the early 'nineties was among the first to develop the ingenious software that enables companies to safely bring the action and excitement of gambling in its diverse forms to the punters' PCs, laptops and mobile phones via the internet.
The rapid development of underlying industry technologies has enabled Microgaming to build up an enviable reputation as a creator and purveyor of quality games - an inventory of around 500 at last count - and the complex back end administrative and marketing systems used by online casino, poker room and sportsbook operators who licence the software.
Working with associate company Spin3, it was also one of the first to start developing the mobile gambling business model and software, a global enterprise that is now gaining significant momentum and has been independently estimated to be worth $48 billion by 2015.
Raatgever says the company's approach is built upon a commitment to quality, a keen interest in what players want, technological progress and innovation. The company was the first to bring concepts like big money progressive jackpots, player accessible information on financial and betting records, mobile wagering, and the use of major movie and videogaming brands in slots to the online environment.
"There are many companies in this industry that are models of customer care, corporate governance, fiscal responsibility and professional business conduct, and we intend to remain among them in the new and exciting world of regulatory opportunity now opening up," he said.
Ensuring that the company retains the capability to do that, are development teams on nearly every continent around the world; an impressive talent pool of over 1,000 people. Raatgever presides over the group from his 80-employee head office in Douglas on the Isle of Man, a location ideally positioned in a geographic sense with an advanced communications infrastructure and a business-friendly legal environment.
Last week saw the opening of a newly refurbished live dealer studio providing feeds to service the growing demand around the world for live dealer gambling over the internet. As with all Microgaming initiatives, the objective is to extend the range of options available to licensees when areas of business opportunity are identified.
Given the size and success of the organisation, several industry analysts have on occasion speculated why Microgaming has not been publicly listed - a course taken by many smaller industry companies in the past.
Raatgever does not favour the idea, saying that the private company business model is best suited to his company, which has no need to go public to attract capital. "In fact I regard the private nature of our company as an absolute competitive advantage in that it enables us to maintain security on projects until we are ready to move to market," he says.
Similarly, there has been conjecture that Microgaming has the wherewithal to be both software provider and an operator in its own right, a proposition firmly discarded by Raatgever. "We are essentially a technology oriented company," he notes. "We prefer to stick to our knitting, which we know and do rather well, and leave the operational side to our licensees or partners," he says.
"We've had approaches, but we're not interested."
Finance Director John Coleman supports Raatgever, confirming that he has turned away many approaches: "You might say that we could be defined by the deals we have turned down in this area," he observes. "But we have our own imperatives, which are the provision of top product at a fair price, and a commitment to a service oriented partnership with our licensees."
Raatgever sees trends other than the moves to regulation ongoing in the industry, namely consolidation, technological convergence and the continued growth of strong competition; all areas which he has constantly under review, with planning and preparation dictated by ongoing research into player demands, technology advances and new gaming trends.
With one eye on the competition, Microgaming, in common with other providers, has adopted a more flexible approach in providing specific products to clients as well as complete packages. One area it has entered is the cross-platform trend whereby operators offer their players a range of games from different providers, all integrated into the same administrative platform. High profile operator Virgin Games is among the latest to advertise new games from Microgaming on its multi-provider platform.
New poker products
Another of the highly competitive market sectors in which Microgaming is active is online poker.
Head of Poker Lydia Melton says that her teams have been preparing for two major events on the production calendar: the introduction of the new downloadable Microgaming 3D poker software, and the launch of a new novice-oriented Flash poker product.
Microgaming's software is also available through Prima Networks Limited which is currently engaged in launching a dedicated French poker network as a result of a joint venture with 888 Holding's PLC. Initially comprised of four client operator companies, this joint venture into the French market has achieved the most approved licenses from the French regulator ARJEL to date.
The company has also been quietly getting on with its own approach to the 'poker ecosystem' where the problems associated with balancing the ratio of relatively inexperienced 'fish' against more skilled 'sharks' has been stimulating debate in the industry for some time.
Microgaming's approach is multi-pronged, involving monthly rake reconciliation and encouraging licensees to adopt a far more wide-ranging marketing approach. This is designed to bring in more recreational players, giving the network a better business balance despite the higher acquisition costs.
The Flash poker product is particularly interesting, enabling Mac players to access the action, and at the same time presenting novice players with a 'One Click' simplified choice that does not delay or intimidate and makes site navigation easy.
The new product is already live on Unibet's Maria Poker site, along with Nordicbet and Ladbrokes, and features play for real or fun and a selection of tournaments, sit n'
goes and cash game options.
Sports book operators are reportedly showing an interest in taking the Flash product on board as an additional player service, with the added benefit that Flash clients have shown good conversion rates to download games as they progress.
The move toward more complex 3D poker is another example of Microgaming's preparedness to extend its technology reach. High profile companies like PKR currently occupying the downloadable 3D poker space will find themselves under growing competitive pressure from the new MGS offering, which may prove to be faster, yet carries the same level of customisable avatars and varied perspective views.
Again, the company's push in this direction is intended to provide licensees with the widest possible selection of player-attracting products.
Bringing famous brands to the online environment
Poker is just part of the jigsaw for the Isle of Man based Product Team, whose international remit covers everything from research to brand licensing and game development.
The past nine months has been a busy period with the development teams bringing to fruition the first game in The Lord of the Rings trilogy as a multi-featured flagship game which captures the spirit, characters and atmosphere of the big-screen impact of the blockbuster movie.
Development was preceded by an exhaustive licensing and approval process which involved exacting standards at Warner Brothers which has been delighted with the final product.
Microgaming is no stranger to the branded content process, having held rights to the Tomb Raider brand since 2004. New game formats, player demands, technology advances and convergence in delivery systems are just a few of the elements where it is imperativefor software companies like Microgaming to stay at the sharp edge.
Is the UK bingo market saturated?
Pessimists who claim that the online bingo sector is at saturation point will find a spirited debate from Neill Whyte, Head of Bingo for Microgaming.
"We've been involved in this burgeoning market segment since 2008 and now have 8 brands on our network," Whyte says.
Online bingo is a $2 billion-a-year business with particular focus in the UK, where there are an estimated 300+ brands operating, and to a growing extent in Western Europe and the Nordic countries.
"As much as 70 percent of the business is in Europe at present, mostly in the UK," Whyte observes.
Competition is fierce, with bingo providers like 888's Dragonfish, Playtech's Virtue Fusion and the independent Cozy Games all active.
Microgaming concentrates on quality, entertaining and diverse content and product diversification, leaving its operators free to focus on customer care and marketing.
Whyte sees the currently hot topic of free bingo play as a potential acquisition and retention tool, but feels there is a need to sensibly balance free play with real play, with industry pundits pretty evenly split on its true value to business.
Independent estimates from respected research firms have predicted that global growth is set to continue at anything up to 30 percent, including the UK.
Interestingly, bingo players are seriously into side games, with as much as 60 to 70 percent of revenues emanating from this source. Microgaming thrives in this department, with a massive inventory of innovative games and the capability to deploy these into the bingo sites, increasing player pull.
Microgaming's development teams have so far provided licensees with some 300+ instant-play Flash side games, mostly well-proven 5 reel slots....and there are plenty more in the group inventory.
Progressive jackpot, scratch card and AWP interactive pub slot games are all popular as side games, which are used extensively by players.
"We listen very carefully to what players are saying and what they want," says Whyte. "We invest in pre-testing and extensive research with the changing demographics of bingo players, which now embrace a younger and more equally balanced gender profile.
"Bingo players tend to spend less per visit, but play more often and stay longer, providing operators with better life-of-customer longevity."
The current focus for Microgaming bingo is a major upgrade to the software, which bingo fans will see on their screens some time in the upcoming months.
Keeping pace with regulation
Microgaming execs Chris Hobbs in Corporate Affairs and Andy Clucas in Regulated Markets are seeing their company roles become significantly more demanding as the regulatory trend spreads through Europe.
With the formidable task of keeping pace with a multitude of legal changes and developments, they ensure that the company is ready at any time to support its licensees in entering newly regulated markets by meeting the diverse requirements of individual regulators.
Their 'campaign map' covers a growing number of licenses already obtained, those in process and timelines for the implementation of new regulated markets that stretch from the present to 2012 - a veritable patchwork of nations and dynamic time estimates.
"There are clearly advantages for existing or potential licensees where Microgaming is already established or is well prepared to enter new markets," Hobbs notes." Our responsibility is to ensure that the company maintains that positioning."
Hobbs refuses to be drawn on the complex and troublesome US market, where the authorities have decided on a prohibitionary approach to online gambling but moves are afoot to reverse this negative direction.
"Clearly we watch developments closely, but the situation remains very fluid at present," he says, concluding that the manner in which he and colleague Clucas work is thorough, cautious and measured.
Responsible management
CEO Raatgever returns to the subject of perceptions as the visit ends, observing that educating interested parties on the positive aspects of the industry is important.
"There are many highly professional companies in this business who go above and beyond in maintaining high standards of corporate responsibility, integrity and professional behaviour - it's important to get that perspective out there to dispel the myths - some of them maliciously created - about the industry.
"The fact that little cash changes hands in online gambling, because credit or debit cards are used, ensures a high degree of trackability that is anathema to organised crime and fraudsters.
"Once you explain the breadth of reliability and accurate tracking systems in online gambling, and the conscientious precautions taken by operators to obviate concerns about underage or problem gambling, fraud and money laundering, many critics are surprised into a reappraisal."
Turning to fair and safe software, Raatgever points out that tier one companies in the business, including his own, go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that their software is independently tested and monitored.
In collaboration with two major competitors, Microgaming invested substantially in the creation of the independent eCOGRA seven years ago; a London-based stand-alone player protection and standards organisation that mediates player disputes, sets international standards of business and responsible gambling conduct for the industry, and tests and monitors operators who volunteer to meet its tough requirements.
Since then the professionally-staffed organisation has become self-funding and has earned the respect of regulators, trade associations like the influential European Gambling and Betting Association and major international companies unconnected with the original founders.
"eCOGRA has now achieved the goals that we set for it, which has made the internet gambling environment a safer place for players, and has simultaneously improved operating standards throughout the industry," Raatgever observed.
"I believe this is indicative of the serious approach to business and player care that characterises a significant and growing proportion of industry businessmen.
"We are a business with very strong professional commitments to fairness, efficiency and legality," he concludes.
ALL IN ENERGY DRINK BUILDING A POKER PRO TEAM
2010-07-20
Big names in Team All In
The branded energy drink ‘All In’, a subsidiary of the Nevada-based Kore Nutrition Inc group, has announced the formation of a mainly US-based professional poker team dubbed Team All In.
The most recent signing for the team is two-time WSOP main event champion and multi-bracelet winner poker pro Johnny Chan.
Consisting of some of the most respected poker professionals in the game, "Team All In” will represent the energy drink company as endorsers of the brand and it's products. Members of the team will wear branded badges, clothing and apparel for all public appearances and televised events effective immediately.
"This is a positive step for poker as there are not a lot of endorsement deals for players beyond the poker playing websites", said Chan, "This relationship is extremely beneficial for both groups and it is an honour to be in the company of such a prestigious group of poker players."
Team All In will initially consist of Chan, Billy Baxter, Freddy Deeb, Eli Elezra, Maria Ho, John Phan, Tim Phan and Lee Watkinson, said the company’s CEO, Jeffrey Todd.
“These well-known, elite level players will provide brand awareness for the company as they compete in the poker world's most significant events. They will be seen on shows such as Poker After Dark, the World Poker Tour, and the World Series of Poker on ESPN, where all of them have earned multiple cashes and titles in the past,” he said.
Team All In will be expanded to include more famous poker professionals during the year ahead, with discussions already in progress to reach beyond poker and bring in well-known professionals from different sports and genres.
SOUTH TO LEAVE CARDRUNNERS
2010-04-29
Poker pro says he is too thinly stretched to continue
One of the owners of the online poker coaching site CardRunners, Cole South, has announced that he is to depart the company due to pressure of too many commitments. It is not known whether South was bought out by his partners.
South, who famously (and allegedly with a little help from his friends) took the mysterious Swedish online high stakes player Isildur1 down for over $4 million in one Full Tilt nosebleed session, was part owner, instructor and blogger on the site.
This week South blogged: "In the past year I have at the same time been a full time student, a professional poker player, and an owner/instructor of a poker training site, and I've found myself spread too thin. Leaving Cardrunners has been an incredibly tough decision for me, but it will allow me to focus on playing poker and completing my degree.
LIVE DEALER PROVIDER ACCREDITED BY ALDERNEY
2009-12-15
Milestone development, says Entertasia
Live dealer online gambling provider Entertasia has successfully met the requirements of the Section 7 of the Alderney eGambling Ordinance to secure a category 2 licence from the island regulator.
"With this achievement, we shall continue to develop of our company; we believe that the range of gaming products and platforms are critical to success, but more importantly, we have to maintain our service standards to world-class standards," said Jason Chan, the CEO of Entertasia, adding that the company's aim is to establish an excellent global telecommunication network in order to widen the international market and to fulfill diverse demands from world-wide operators.
"We believe that the achievement of this milestone in our development as a business will further enhance our position [in the market]," he said.
Based in Macau, and founded in 2005 Entertasia is a comprehensive gaming software company that offers a variety of software for both land-based and Internet gaming operators. Its flagship product is live dealer gambling over the Internet.