| |
VIRGIN GAMING CHOOSES BOSS MEDIA POKER
Published: 2005-11-01
 Swedish software company will register with Malta licensing jurisdiction
Veteran Swedish gambling software provider Boss Media has signed up Virgin Poker, part of the Virgin Games Group to its platform, ending a long search by the latter to find the ideal partner for the relaunch of its Poker game.
Simon Burridge, Chairman of Virgin Games.
A condition of the agreement is that Boss will seek licensing from Malta to satisfy Virgin's requirement that its site be regulated in a white list jurisdiction.
A Virgin Poker spokesman said that the company believes, despite the rapid growth of online Poker over the last few years, that there is still a large untapped market as the game develops as a natural entertainment choice. The Virgin site will benefit from Boss Media's growing international poker network.
In addition to the many distribution channels available throughout the Virgin Group and the ability to cross market with sister Virgin companies, Virgin will be able to offer its players the chance to earn Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points for every hand they play. This has already proved a significant retention tool on Virgin's Casino site.
| |
Police Raid Italian Poker Open
Published: 2005-11-01
 The legality of poker in Italy was brought into question again last weekend when the European
Ranking festival in Amalfi was raided by the police.
On day four of the festival, with the final table of the Pot Limit Omaha about to take place, the
Carabinieri (Italian police force) stormed Hotel Club Due Torri, the venue for the five day
festival, and demanded all play be stopped immediately. In a calm, almost surreal fashion players
moved away from tables and gathered in small groups around the large function room. Several armed
police, in plain clothes and uniform, set about long discussions with the event organisers.
The festival was swarming with players from all over Europe, with precious European ranking points
on offer from the €750 main event which was due to take place the following afternoon. Many of
these players had already registered and were very concerned to see all the registration money,
chips, cards and all poker paraphernalia boxed up and taken away by the police in the early hours
of the morning. Like a scene from the illegal gambling dens of yesteryear, many players were
hiding chips and money in their socks to avoid confiscation. It was left to the organisers and
festival sponsors to explain to the crowd of tired and increasingly angry players what the
situation was. The festival was illegal and the main event would not go ahead.
Refunds were given to players the following morning and a more relaxed atmosphere ensued. Although
the disappointment was hugely apparent it was clear that many were relieved to be sitting in the
hotel eating breakfast, rather than the local police cells.
Rumours suggest a disgruntled player informed the police of the event, others suggested mafia
involvement. More likely is the organisers knew this festival was against Italian law but went
ahead anyway, in the hope that the majority, or all, of the play would complete before the police
got on the scent.
The first Amalfi Poker Open may well be the last. This would be a terrible shame, as this scenic
venue is a superb location for poker. Up until the police raid the action was intense, with plenty
of side action and even a low-cost sit & go tournament was taking place for the players wives.
| | |
English
Deutsch
Español
Français
Italiano
Nederlands
Pусский
Svenska