Weekly Roundup May 8 2015
Merge Gaming Cashout Speeds Improve
More players are reporting withdrawals from Carbon Poker and other Merge Gaming sites. Withdrawal speeds appear to be in the 8-10 week range, down from 10-12 weeks. Affiliates are also reporting processed payments. While this is great news, we still feel that more payments need to be made before we can feel comfortable recommending Merge Gaming again. Ideally, withdrawals should be received in less than one month.
MGM Resorts Opposes Federal Online Gambling Ban
MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren stated that his company remains “adamantly opposed” to a federal online gambling ban. Murren confirmed this in an email to Jon Ralston of Ralston Reports. This includes the current “Restoration of America’s Wire Act” and any other forms of legislation that look to attack the legality of online gaming in the United States. MGM Resorts owns half of Borgata in New Jersey, which is currently the market leader in both land-based and interactive gaming revenue.
Lottery Sit and Gos Affect Cash game Traffic
The latest cash game traffic report from PokerScout shows that lottery sit and gos are affecting cash game traffic. The world’s cash game traffic is down 12 percent, according to PokerScout. About half of this can be attributed to the migration of players from cash games to lottery sit and gos. Five of the top ten online poker networks in the world offer this form of sit and go that varies prize pools based on a random drawing.