Weekly Roundup November 1 2013
Delaware Introduces Real Money Online Gaming
The Delaware Lottery soft launched real money online gaming on Thursday. There is an initial test period that will run through November 7th. Games will be available to the public on November 8th. Players that signed up for play money accounts through the state’s racinos were selected for the testing period. Delaware is the first state to offer regulated online casino games. Online poker will also be available. Delaware online gaming revenue will be taxed at a rate of 54 percent. This is substantially higher than Nevada’s 6.75 percent and New Jersey’s 15 percent.
Lock Poker Leaves Revolution Gaming Network
Lock Poker left the Revolution Gaming Network on Tuesday. There was no advance announcement to players. It is now on a standalone site with new software. Players that open the Revolution Gaming version are forwarded to Pure Poker, a different skin on the network. Players are told that “Due to Lock’s ongoing financial issues, the poker service to Lock was terminated”. Players are then solicited to open an account at Pure Poker.
This was not what Lock Poker intended. It expected players to be forwarded to the new website or software. Lock Poker players must go to Lockpoker.eu directly to download the new platform. The setup automatically uninstalls the Revolution Gaming platform to prevent players from being redirected to Pure Poker.
Pure Poker appears to be related to Revolution Gaming, according to Flush Draw. A statement from Lock Poker is presented in that article.
PartyGaming Co-Founders to Divest Instead of Submit to NJ License Application
Two PartyGaming co-founders have chosen to divest their 14 percent holdings in the company, as opposed to submitting to a licensing investigation in New Jersey. According to a bwin.party press release, Ruth Parasol DeLeon and James DeLeon “elected, pursuant to a divorce settlement and for reasons of privacy, to enter into a divestiture agreement with bwin.party and the DGE (New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement) rather than submit individual License applications”. The estimated 117 million shares will be held in a trust until they are sold.
New Jersey Licensing Approvals
New Jersey announced numerous licenses and other approvals this week. Optimal Payments, parent company of payment processor Neteller, received an internet gaming license. XYVerify was also approved this week. The state also released a list of 54 companies that have completed the application process.
Ultimate Poker adds Omaha High/Low
Ultimate Poker has added Omaha High/Low to its available games. It is available in both pot limit and fixed limit formats.
WSOP Improves VIP Program
WSOP improved its VIP program starting in November. VIP levels now offer as many as four times the WSOP Points that were awarded before. The improvements are:
- Silver – 1x to 4x
- Gold – 2x to 5x
- Platinum – 3.5x to 6x
- Diamond – 5x to 7.5x
- Elite – 7x to 10x
- Seven Stars – 10x to 15x
Rakeback rates are double the multiplier. For example, Seven Stars players now earn a 15x multiplier, which pays 30% rakeback.
WSOP also has a promotion during November that awards daily play. Players that rake 100 hands on 15 days during the month will receive 10% additional rakeback. Players that rake in 200 hands for 20 days during the month will receive an additional 20% rakeback. Raking 500 hands for 30 days will earn a player an additional 30% in rakeback.