Rake Free -- Antigua-based World Poker Exchange (WPE) announced today that it will no longer keep rake fees, which poker rooms commonly collect from every pot (usually amounting to around $10 to $25 per hour per player) to generate revenue. Through its new pricing initiative, "No Rake Poker," WPE rebates each player's rake to his or her account on a weekly basis. "It's completely free; there are no strings attach," said Haden Ware, World Poker Exchange's managing director.
Work at Home -- A Denver-based company is under investigation for selling fraudulent Internet gambling Web sites to people all over the United States, according to Denver news station CBS4. Venture Concepts, which also had an office in Phoenix, advertised the sites as work-at-home job opportunities and sold them for $999. One woman who purchased a site said the company asked her for an additional $7,500 to advertise it and wanted $1,500 more for a better listing on the Internet. She was told she could make $25,000 in three months, but no one ever visited her site. Upon visiting Venture Concepts' Phoenix branch, CBS4 found an empty office and a dumpster containing documents for dozens of Web sites and complaints from clients asking for refunds. No charges have been filed in the case, which is still being investigated.
Seven Play It Safe -- Seven online poker rooms are the latest to sites earn the eCOGRA "Play It Safe" seal, bringing the total number of online casinos and poker rooms considered to be compliant with the standards and requirements of eCOGRA to 76. Six Prima Poker Network sites made the list: Trident Poker, 3 Piggs Poker, Gaming Club Poker, River Belle Poker, 7 Sultans Poker and Royal Vegas Poker. Ongame Network's Europoker was also certified. "We expect to make further announcements in the near future as our "100 'Play It Safe' Seals by 2006" campaign unfolds," eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge said. "Interest in the eCOGRA standards is growing from players, casinos, leading poker rooms and software providers alike, and membership continues to be open to any software provider that is prepared to commit to our goals and principles."
From Bronx to Vegas -- I-gaming software developers Las Vegas From Home.Com Entertainment Inc. (LVFH) and Bronx Ventures Inc. today announced an agreement through which LVFH will acquire from Bronx a 50 percent ownership interest and 40 percent revenue interest in the jointly developed Three Card Games Software. The total consideration of US$2,401,200 will be payable through the issuance of 6,670,000 common shares of LVFH at a fair market value of USD$0.36 per common share. The two companies share common directors and management.
Quoteworthy -- "I reckon about 50 percent of players like a flutter on other matches. The anonymity of online gambling has added to the appeal for players and just after midday on a Saturday is peak time. It's nice to have an advantage by speaking to your mates. It doesn't guarantee you are going to win, but it does give you the edge.
- Former Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino, as quoted in News of the World. Cascarino told the British tabloid that Premiership players are violating Football Association rules by betting on football matches. He alleges that players pass on information to each other with regards to team selection in an attempt to gain an advantage over bookmakers. The story appeared in the April 2 issue.
Purple Loyalty -- British poker site Purple Lounge has launched a loyalty rewards program, the Purple Ace Card, which offers select customers--by invitation only--a complimentary membership to the elite and exclusive club Quintessentially, which affords members entry to prestigious restaurants and private clubs all over the world. "Purple Lounge players and affiliates form part of the upper echelons of the poker community, with a taste for the finer things in life," a spokesperson for Purple Lounge said. "The Ace Card, which offers easy access to all the desirable events, is a reward to our players and affiliates for loyalty to Purple Lounge. We will be inviting them to be members of the Ace club at various times throughout the year."