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Poker Business News Round Up - Nov 19th

The rise of iPoker and subsequent decline of CryptoLogic continues today, with the news that Sun Poker will be joining iPoker from Crypto in the middle of December. This is the 3rd high profile move to the buzzing iPoker network in as many months, with Mansion Poker and William Hill upping sticks and joining them.

That could also be the final nail in the coffin of the original CryptoLogic before they partner with Boss Media. iPoker, who have seen revenues increase this year, will be a big contender to become the 2nd biggest poker room in the World next year.

Speaking of which, the biggest poker room in the World, Pokerstars, have proven that the UIGEA and a recession are not very big deterrents for getting players sat down at the tables. On Sunday, Stars had over 30,000 cash game players simultaneously at the tables which is a new record for them and way more than double that of their nearest rival. This has been put down to in part the broadcast of the ESPN WSOP Final Table, which has renewed interest in American players.

Finally, a second high profile player has left Full Tilt Poker as a ‘red pro’ after Clonie Gowen burnt bridges last week by suing the poker room. David Benyamine has really surprised everyone by leaving Team Full Tilt, because he is one of the most prolific players on their full stop. He still plays there, but not as a red pro, and the rumours are that he had an ‘offer he couldn’t refuse’ from Betfair, although no official statement has been made. It must have been good, because as a red pro he was entitled to 100% rake back and an hourly rate for playing at the tables (Where he has lost $1.8 million this month).

By Barry Carter - November 19th 2008

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