Weekly Roundup January 9 2015
PokerStars Reverses Rake Increase on Most Games
PokerStars raised the rake on numerous cash games and tournaments in November. It was met with a large backlash from players. It only took PokerStars two months to realize its error. It rolled back all of the new rake increases except for Spin & Go tournaments. The changes went into effect earlier this week and were met with excitement among players, many of which had cut action or stopped playing at PokerStars altogether. PokerStars is the largest online poker site in the world in terms of cash games, sit and gos, and tournaments.
Winning Poker Network Adds Bitcoin
The Winning Poker Network has become the first U.S.-friendly network to begin processing deposits and withdrawals in Bitcoin in addition to other cash methods. Players may deposit by Bitcoin and receive the funds within a few hours. Withdrawals are processed in 24-48 hours. The exchange rate will be based on an average of multiple exchanges to give players the most fair deal available. The Winning Poker Network cashier processed payments for Black Chip Poker, Americas Cardroom, and True Poker.
WSOP.com Changes VIP Program for 2015
WSOP.com added two tiers to the bottom of its VIP ladder in Nevada and New Jersey. Players can access Copper and Copper+ and gain entry to a weekly $250 freeroll. A $1,000 weekly freeroll is now available to players Bronze and higher. These tiers do not receive any rakeback. A Super Elite annual tier now pays 25% rakeback and falls between Elite and Seven Stars The top Seven Stars tier dropped from 35% to 30% rakeback.
New Credit Card Code Coming for Regulated Gaming
A new credit card deposit code is coming for credit and debit card deposits to regulated markets, according to David Rebuck, Director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. In a nine-page letter describing the 2014 regulated gaming industry in New Jersey, Rebuck stated that Visa and Mastercard will introduce a new code for transactions to regulated sites that differentiate it from offshore deposits. This change is expected during the first quarter of 2015.