In an e-mail sent to members of popular online poker site Doyle’s Room last week, it was announced that sweeping changes were on their way. What that meant remains to be seen, but Poker News Daily can confirm that a new software provider is in the works. In addition, the changes are scheduled to be implemented within the week.
Doyle’s Room currently makes its home on the Microgaming Network, which also includes Poker Host, Unibet, Gnuf, and Eurolinx. In November, the network ceased accepting customers from the United States. Previously, Microgaming had just withdrawn from Kentucky due to pending legal action involving the seizure and possible forfeiture of 141 internet gambling domain names, including both doylesroom.com and microgaming.com. The latter is no longer accessible from the United States.
An e-mail response from Doyle’s Room on January 14th about a possible network switch read, “The new software will be in effect in one week (or few days more). The new software provider’s information is not available yet for the public.” Rumors have surfaced that the Cake Poker Network may be its new destination, as the set of online poker rooms allows U.S. players. However, no confirmation of this has been given by Cake Poker or Doyle’s Room representatives. Cake’s pool of sites also includes Red Star Poker and PlayersOnly. CardSpike, described by blogger Nat Arem as a “rogue skin” of the network, has come under fire for not paying affiliate rakeback.
A move by Doyle’s Room to a new network would continue a trend of recent changes in the industry. InterPoker and other online poker rooms on the CryptoLogic Network are slated to be absorbed into the Boss Network by the end of the first quarter of 2008. CryptoLogic, instead, will focus on developing casino software. Classic Poker is slated to complete its move from the CryptoLogic Network to 888 around February 12th. William Hill is jumping ship from CryptoLogic to Playtech’s iPoker Network. The move of the company, which is traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol “WMH,” is scheduled to be completed by the end of March.
Betsafe is moving from CryptoLogic to the Ongame Network in the beginning of February. CryptoLogic also confirmed to Poker News Daily the closure of Playboy Poker on January 29th. The reason for the cessation of operations was its failure to catch on outside of the United States. In addition to potentially picking up Doyle’s Room, the Cake Poker Network signed Gutshot Poker. Meanwhile, Carlos Poker, which will officially part ways with the iPoker Network this month, joined Microgaming. NoiQPoker, which also separated from the iPoker Network, now makes its home on the Entracton Network.
The Cake Poker Network does not accept players from Kentucky due to ongoing legal action in the Commonwealth. In late 2008, its Governor, Steve Beshear, ordered the seizure of 141 internet gambling domain names. In an October ruling, Judge Thomas Wingate upheld Beshear’s actions and ordered a final forfeiture hearing unless sites demonstrated that they had blocked access by residents of the state. In response, the Cake Poker Network, Merge Gaming Network, and CEREUS Network all blocked access. However, PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Bodog, among others, continue to accept Bluegrass State customers. The state’s Court of Appeals heard the case in December and a ruling is expected by the end of January, although no official timeline has been given. The forfeiture hearing is postponed indefinitely.
Doyle’s Room currently offers a $150,000 guaranteed prize pool tournament every Sunday. The tournament’s buy-in is $65 and unlimited rebuys are allowed during the first hour. At the conclusion of that time period, an optional $65 add-on can be purchased. Satellites begin at an affordable $6.50.