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EU Online Poker Market Took Big Leaps Forward in 2018

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Throughout much of the first decade of the 21st century, poker was one of the most popular games to play online. In the middle of that decade, poker’s popularity soared to heights that put the game in the history books. That poker boom was primarily spurred by Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event victory, courtesy of a PokerStars satellite tournament online.

Online poker sites popped up everywhere in the years that followed. Every sports betting site established an online poker vertical, and every player logged on to at least one of them to live their version of the poker dream. There was merchandise to win, fame to claim, tournament travel packages to win, and millions of dollars on the line. Poker was on every computer and television, and everyone could dream of becoming a poker pro.

However, the US government made a move that began to change it all. In 2006, the United States Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which was subsequently signed into law. Its language was murky, but it was threatening enough to force several online poker operators – most notably PartyPoker – out of the US market.

Several years later, on a day that became known as Black Friday, the US Department of Justice seized the domains of PokerStars, Full Tilt, UltimateBet, and Absolute Poker on April 15, 2011. The indictments of online poker executives and the shutdown of insolvent companies created a snowball effect that changed the poker world forever.

The poker boom was over. And a new era of nation-based poker markets began.

Pieces of the Poker Pie

Governments in some nations around the world began to see internet poker as an industry that only benefited the companies themselves, and governments were not receiving what they viewed as their fair share of the revenues.

Italy was one of the first countries to call for a ban on dot-com poker sites and require operators to obtain licensing from the Italian government to service only Italian players. This gave the Italian regulator, AAMS (Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stado), the ability to control what type of gambling was offered in the country and the revenue derived from it.

Other countries followed suit. France, Spain, and Portugal were just a few of the countries in Europe that took the same approach, establishing regimes within their borders to keep players from competing on dot-com poker sites.

While all of these countries believed they were grabbing their pieces of the poker pie, they neglected to realize that online poker thrived because of the liquidity, the ability for players around the world to compete at the same tables, which allowed sites to offer bigger cash games, tournaments, satellites, etc. When countries separated their players from the rest of the world, the liquidity disappeared, and so did much of the appeal created by the poker boom.

Building Partnerships

Regulators in Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal began to see the benefits of liquidity. And they figured out a way to share players – thereby enhancing the player pools and opportunities – while also keeping the revenue from sites registered within their countries.

In the summer of 2017, after several years of talks among the four regulators, their representatives gathered in Rome to sign an agreement to share online poker action.

The process moved quickly for Portugal, which had only one poker site – PokerStars – registered in its market. In fact, PokerStars was the only site available in all four countries, and it also had experience with the technology necessary to establish a shared poker network. Spain and France launched their combined PokerStars tables in the first quarter of 2018, and Portugal soon joined as well.

From there, it took only a few months for PartyPoker to share its French and Spanish poker players, and Winamax did the same shortly thereafter. Most recently, the iPoker network of sites that includes BetClic, Betfair, Unibet, and Casino Barcelona, received its final approval to share poker online in France and Spain and will launch before the end of 2018.

As the European market grows, players in those countries can return to the tables with more tournaments, bigger guarantees, and more opportunities to play the kind of lucrative games that were available during the poker boom.

Future Growth

The growth of the shared EU online poker market is limited due to the number of players in those countries. And without the cooperation of Italy, which is now working toward more online gaming bans due to a change in governmental views, there is a cap as to how big the market can become.

Countries like Switzerland and Sweden are opening their markets to licensing and could soon have regulated markets that are solid and seeking growth. That growth is available in the European partnership that is already established and showing what shared poker liquidity can do. Further growth lies in new markets joining that partnership.


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: EU Online Poker Market Took Big Leaps Forward in 2018

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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ACR POKER IS AWARDING 100 FREE SEATS TO FINAL WSOP QUALIFIER, WITH FIVE GUARANTEED $30K PACKAGES TO PARADISE

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Join ACR Poker’s Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers this Sunday and secure your chance to win a free ticket to the $50 Million GTD WSOP Super Main Event in the Bahamas

The countdown to the $50 Million GTD WSOP Super Main Event in the Bahamas is on, and ACR Poker is offering players a chance to win their way to this monumental event for free. On Sunday, December 1st, players can join the Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers and claim one of 100 free $95 satellite tickets, putting them one step closer to winning a coveted $30K WSOP Paradise Package.

Starting this Sunday at 9:00am ET, the Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers offers players the ultimate opportunity to compete for a free seat in the largest guaranteed live poker tournament in history. The top 100 finishers of the freeroll will advance to the final $95 Mega Satellite via ‘The Beast’ tourney at 2:05pm ET that same day, where at least five winners will receive an incredible $30K package.

“The Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers is your chance to turn a $0 investment into a $30K package in paradise and a poker journey of a lifetime,” said 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion and ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “Every poker player dreams of moments like this, and with just one freeroll and one $95 Satellite, you could be heading to the Bahamas to compete for huge stakes in poker’s biggest live tournament ever.”

Winners of the premium $30,000 package will receive a luxurious 14-night stay at the 5-Star Atlantis Paradise Island Resort (December 6th-19th) with complimentary lunch and dinner, a $26,000 buy-in to the WSOP Super Main Event, access to an exclusive players’ lounge and entry to the $1 Million Super Save Gold Bracelet Freeroll.

For those looking to increase their chances of earning their $95 Beast ticket, Daily Super Satellites will continue through this Saturday, with five daily freerolls awarding $11 Super Satellite tickets and five $11 Turbo tournaments guaranteeing five $95 seats. This Sunday will also feature two freerolls leading to $11 Super Satellites, plus a Mega Super Satellite at 10:10am ET with 30 guaranteed $95 tickets.

For more details on the Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers, visit ACRPoker.eu.

 

The post ACR POKER IS AWARDING 100 FREE SEATS TO FINAL WSOP QUALIFIER, WITH FIVE GUARANTEED $30K PACKAGES TO PARADISE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Stretch Network Unveils MEGA FREEBUY Tournaments in World Poker League Season 3

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Stretch Network announces the continuation of the MEGA FREEBUY tournaments in the third season of the World Poker League. Designed to captivate players and showcase the power of our online poker platform, these events deliver high stakes, excitement, and player engagement.

The MEGA FREEBUY tournaments feature a €5,000 prize pool guarantee, with a €0 buy-in and rebuys available for just €1. Taking place on 30 November, 7, 14, and 21 December at 16:00 (UTC+0), each tournament accommodates up to 4,000 players.

For media partners, these tournaments highlight the capabilities of Stretch Network’s industry-leading online poker software and its ability to drive player retention and acquisition. By offering such tournaments, poker platforms powered by Stretch Network can set themselves apart in the competitive online gaming market.

Our solutions are designed for B2B poker providers seeking innovative tools to deliver exceptional gaming experiences. The World Poker League and the MEGA FREEBUY tournaments serve as a testament to the scalability, reliability, and engagement opportunities our platform provides.

We welcome our media partners to collaborate with us in promoting this exciting series, further establishing Stretch Network as a trusted name in online poker solutions.

The post Stretch Network Unveils MEGA FREEBUY Tournaments in World Poker League Season 3 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SuperGaming’s Indus Battle Royale surpasses 5 million downloads; concludes first international playtest in Manila

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SuperGaming’s highly anticipated Indo-futuristic Battle Royale game, Indus, has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 5 million downloads on the Google Play Store and over 100,000 installs on the iOS App Store. This remarkable feat solidifies its position as one of India’s fastest-growing games. The title has also been recognized as the Best Made in India Game by Google Play in their prestigious Best of 2024 awards.

Indus has captivated players with its distinctive Indo-futuristic world setting that seamlessly blends Indian culture with futuristic aesthetics, immersive gameplay, and community-driven innovation. Key gameplay features like the Cosmium Clutch, Grudge Mechanic, and culturally inspired avatars and weapons have particularly resonated with players, offering strategic depth and adrenaline-filled matches.

Building upon this momentum, SuperGaming recently hosted its first international community playtest at the YGG Play Summit in Manila, Philippines. The event featured some of the region’s top esports talent, with Kadiliman Esports emerging victorious. This successful international debut aligns with SuperGaming’s vision to expand its player base while maintaining a deep-rooted connection to its community.

“Surpassing 5 million downloads is more than a milestone—it’s a reflection of the enthusiasm our players have for Indus,” said Roby John, Co-Founder and CEO of SuperGaming. “Hosting our first international playtest at the YGG Play Summit was another defining moment for us, and a reminder of what gaming can achieve—bridging cultures and bringing people together. We’re driven to keep breaking new ground and taking Indus to even greater heights, reaching newer players across the world,” he adds.

Furthermore, in a move to strengthen India’s esports ecosystem, SuperGaming has also announced its year-long Clutch India Movement. The initiative kicks off with the Indus International Tournament, running from October 2024 to February 2025, featuring a massive prize pool of INR 2.5 crores. The tournament will bring together top Indian and international teams across four competitive phases.

SuperGaming remains committed to keeping Indus fresh with regular updates based on player feedback, ensuring the game continually improves. These efforts demonstrate the studio’s commitment to creating a gaming experience that reflects its players’ needs and aspirations while redefining the global perception of Indian gaming.

The post SuperGaming’s Indus Battle Royale surpasses 5 million downloads; concludes first international playtest in Manila appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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