Tribeca Out -- Online poker solutions company Tribeca Tables Europe Limited announced today that it has decided to withdraw its poker room from the United States, Israel, and Hong Kong markets with immediate effect. In light of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 and in line with most other responsible networks and poker operators, Tribeca will focus on more non U.S. territories and new markets, the company said. The company has vowed to assist its U.S.-facing clients with the transition as much as possible. "The board have taken a considerable amount of time to weigh up all of the options and sought a great deal of legal and market advice," said Steve Cook, European managing director. "Sadly we have no alternative. We have concluded that it is the best way forward for the company." Tribeca will make a further announcement regarding its poker network in due course.
Extinguished? -- Online money transfer provider FireOne said this week that it will continue to serve non-U.S. customers. After prohibitive I-gaming legislation passed through the Senate in late September, the company announced it would no longer process payments originating from the U.S. Roughly 85 percent of the company's revenue was derived from the States. The news was included in FireOne's third quarter report released Nov. 6, which indicated the company would incur a non-cash impairment of goodwill and intangible assets of $78 million. The figures also showed that revenue between June and September rose 31 percent to $26 million. Gross profit rose 38 percent to 16.6 million.
A Call to Arms -- Online casino Global Player Casino announced today it would no longer accept bets from U.S. players. The company posted a statement on its Web site today further explaining that "…due to certain restrictions in the bill, we are no longer able to process gaming transactions in U.S. currency via bank draft, wire transfer, FirePay, and PrePaidATM…We continue to maintain that it is your individual right to be allowed to play online responsibly in another form you see fit and therefore invite you to contact your Congressman (or woman) to express your concerns."
Mine is Better than Yours -- Ian Hogg, the CEO of start-up UK betting shop and online operator Better has said his company would be interested in bidding for the Tote shop estate. Hogg's decree came in response to news this week that Gala Coral are set to bid £325m (US$620m) for the Tote's 540 shops and its online operation. "Better are well backed and provided there is a tender process, we will be looking at the Tote betting shops in conjunction with a highly credible partner," said Hogg, adding that Better would only be interested in running some Tote shops under the Better brand banner. Other less attractive properties it would consider running under a different brand name, he said. Better was launched earlier this year with a number of new shops in the London and M25 areas.
Written in the Stars -- Amidst all of the loss the Internet gambling industry has suffered over the last month, one online gambling company has conducted an amusing study into the correlation between star signs and gambler's luck. After surveying 14,000 players, the company released their results this week, ranking the luckiest star signs in order. Aries ranked as the luckiest star sign of all, while Cancer-born players finally have an excuse for their bad luck, with their star sign ranking as the unluckiest of all.