Issue N31, 2012
August 2, 2012
Full Tilt Poker Saga Coming to an End
After fifteen months of ongoing speculation, frustration, rumors and takeover bids, it was announced this week that we will finally be seeing the end of the Full Tilt Poker saga. In April last year, Full Tilt Poker was one of three online poker sites targeted by the US Department of Justice which had its domains frozen and charges brought against executives for money laundering, fraud and illegal gambling services. While Poker Stars managed to reorganize very quickly and pay its players the funds owed to them, Full Tilt Poker has not allowed access to funds until now.
This week, however, it was confirmed that Full Tilt Poker will be purchased by Poker Stars, its rival, for a price of $730 million. “PokerStars.com will also make available in a segregated bank account all outstanding balances owing to all non-US customers of Full Tilt Poker, an amount totaling $184 million, with no restrictions on withdrawals within 90 days of completing this transaction,” read a statement issued by Poker Stars. The rest of the money - $537 million over the next three years – will be put in fund to reimburse former Full Tilt customers in the United States, with anything over forfeited to the US government. This is an ongoing drama which is unfolding every day, so watch this space for more details.
Big Payout at WinADay Casino
The progressive jackpot at WinADay Casino paid out recently, earning the lucky winner $161,577. The jackpot recently passed the $150,000 mark, which is usually a time when players know that the prize will be hit very soon. The winner this time around, was a grandfather who has been with the instant play, proprietary powered site since the beginning, when it was first launched four years ago. The player, Kevin W, won the progressive jackpot playing the Fair Tycoon video slot game.
“I used to play at a different online casino every month, it seemed,” said the winner. “But I really like the games at WinADay, and they keep adding new ones. So why waste time looking around when I can spend that time playing!”
“Winning so much money was a complete surprise, of course. I still haven’t decided what to do with it,” he added. “It’ll be fun choosing gifts for my wife and kids and grandchildren. And I think we should all go on a great vacation together. Then I’ll think about what to do with the rest – if there is any!”
32Red Casino Celebrating 10 Years in the Business
After a hugely successful decade in the online gambling business, in which it took home multiple rewards, the online casino, 32Red Casino will be celebrating with players on this ten year milestone. The Microgaming powered online casino said that it would be marking the start of the celebrations with a ‘top secret’ promotion, which will see exclusive gifts given away during a specific 24 hour period.
According to a press release issued by 32Red Casino, “an enthusiastic team embarked on a mission to provide casino players with the service they deserved”, ten years ago. The same team, a decade down the line, “is proud to be celebrating a decade of providing a second-to-none service,” according to the press release.
“They will be giving an exclusive gift to players although exact details are yet to be released,” promised 32Red online casino.
In the meantime, players can enjoy 32Red’s industry famous welcome bonus, which sees each £20 initial deposit rewarded with a £32 free bonus.
32Red online casino provides literally hundreds of casino games to its players, from video slots to card and table games, video poker and poker.
Paddy Power Irks Kidney Foundation
Paddy Power, the Irish sports betting group, is living up to its reputation as being the ‘bad boy’ of the industry – this time by offending kidney donors and transplant patients.
Paddy Power’s latest radio ad takes a tongue in cheek look at the saying, “I’d give my right arm for…” and instead uses a kidney as a bargaining chip for a ‘decent offer’ through Paddy Power’s sports betting platform.
However, the Kidney Wales foundation, as well as scores of members of the public found nothing humorous about the ad and launched a complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) this week. The complaints charged that kidney patients, transplant patients and families found the ad offensive and could see no humor in a subject that was so painful to them.
Surprisingly, the advertising authority decided that this time around, Paddy Power’s ads shouldn’t be taken off the air and said that it should be taken in the spirit and humor it was created to convey.