Online gaming firm Betclic Everest Group is to close one of its French poker sites Everest Poker by the end of May this year.
The French based operator has struggled to increase Everest Poker share of the market ever since Betclic bought the site for $100 million from Giga Media back in 2009. Although well known internationally Everest Poker has not found the success it had hoped for in the ever contracting French online market place.
Although Everest Poker will remain operational to players outside France all French players on the site will be able to withdraw their funds or transfer over to Betclic Everest Group’s other poker site in France BetClic Poker.
Showing posts with label Everest Poker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Everest Poker. Show all posts
April 21, 2016
October 23, 2014
Playtech has record Q3
Online gambling technology provider Playtech says its third quarter was a record breaker, putting the company on track to exceed current market expectations for full-year results. The company issued a Q3 trading update on Wednesday, showing a 28.6% year-on-year rise in revenue to €116.5m. The good times have continued into the first three weeks of Q4, with average daily revenue up 22% over the same period last year and up 2% sequentially.
Playtech’s mainstay casino vertical continued to earn the lion’s share of company revenue, rising 33% to €62.4m, while services revenue rose 19.3% to €34m. In fact, every vertical besides ‘other’ was in positive territory, but ‘other’ at least had the decency to remain flat at €1.6m. Sports betting posted the most dramatic gain, rising nearly 109% to €7.1m, thanks in part to the launch of an online sportbook for Italian media outlet Gazzetta dello Sport. Bingo rose 9.5% to €4.6m, land-based gambling rose 20.7% to €3.5m and even poker managed to improve 3.1% to €3.3m (although this was down 8.3% sequentially).
Playtech’s eastward shift continued in Q3, with Asia’s share of company revenue rising two points to 36% from Q2, while Europe and the rest of the world shed a point apiece to 56% and 8% respectively.
Playtech CEO Mor Weizer touted the number of deals the company inked in the quarter as evidence that the party is only getting started. Weizer noted that three licensees had shifted their UK-facing business to Playtech’s white label structure, “demonstrating the financial and operational benefits that can be achieved by using our turnkey offering.”
Weizer said Playtech would have big news sometime in H1 2015 regarding a major acquisition that would take the company “to the next level”. Weizer suggested the financial pressures about to be brought on UK-facing operators by regulatory changes would “put them in the right position to do a deal.” Playtech has been sitting on a massive cash pile for over a year after its former William Hill Online joint venture partner cut a check to acquire Playtech’s stake.
In even more good news, Playtech has triumphed in a French court case in which it had been accused of thieving the intellectual property of French online poker market leader Winamax. In August, Winamax had sued Playtech and several of its licensees over Playtech’s Twister sit n’ go game format, which Winamax believed infringed on its own Expresso three-handed ‘hyper-turbo’ lottery-style poker product. But earlier this month, the court rejected this argument, saying Expresso was “neither innovative nor original” and ordered Winamax to pay Playtech, Betclic Everest and Unibet €3k apiece.
Playtech’s mainstay casino vertical continued to earn the lion’s share of company revenue, rising 33% to €62.4m, while services revenue rose 19.3% to €34m. In fact, every vertical besides ‘other’ was in positive territory, but ‘other’ at least had the decency to remain flat at €1.6m. Sports betting posted the most dramatic gain, rising nearly 109% to €7.1m, thanks in part to the launch of an online sportbook for Italian media outlet Gazzetta dello Sport. Bingo rose 9.5% to €4.6m, land-based gambling rose 20.7% to €3.5m and even poker managed to improve 3.1% to €3.3m (although this was down 8.3% sequentially).
Playtech’s eastward shift continued in Q3, with Asia’s share of company revenue rising two points to 36% from Q2, while Europe and the rest of the world shed a point apiece to 56% and 8% respectively.
Playtech CEO Mor Weizer touted the number of deals the company inked in the quarter as evidence that the party is only getting started. Weizer noted that three licensees had shifted their UK-facing business to Playtech’s white label structure, “demonstrating the financial and operational benefits that can be achieved by using our turnkey offering.”
Weizer said Playtech would have big news sometime in H1 2015 regarding a major acquisition that would take the company “to the next level”. Weizer suggested the financial pressures about to be brought on UK-facing operators by regulatory changes would “put them in the right position to do a deal.” Playtech has been sitting on a massive cash pile for over a year after its former William Hill Online joint venture partner cut a check to acquire Playtech’s stake.
In even more good news, Playtech has triumphed in a French court case in which it had been accused of thieving the intellectual property of French online poker market leader Winamax. In August, Winamax had sued Playtech and several of its licensees over Playtech’s Twister sit n’ go game format, which Winamax believed infringed on its own Expresso three-handed ‘hyper-turbo’ lottery-style poker product. But earlier this month, the court rejected this argument, saying Expresso was “neither innovative nor original” and ordered Winamax to pay Playtech, Betclic Everest and Unibet €3k apiece.
April 14, 2014
Betclic Everest withdraw operations from Russia
Senior management at igaming operator Betclic Everest have announced that the operator will withdraw all of its igaming operations from targeting the Russian igaming market.
The decision by the operator, comes days after Betclic announced that it would no longer allow wagering and accept customer subscriptions from Belgium.
Betclic Everest announced its decision following the Russian gaming authorities’ decision to extend its internet ISP blacklist. It is thought that the Russian Government will look to toughen its stance on unlicensed igaming operators, as Russia looks to set a future igaming policy.
Russian ISP blocks have affected a number of igaming operators including Unibet, Pokerstars and Bwin. The blocks have been undertaken by Russian internet watchdog – Roskomnadzor.
Betclic Everest, actions to withdraw from the region have been followed by sports betting exchange Betfair that they would no longer accept customers from the Russian Federation.
Betclic Everest are set to make more statements regarding their decision to withdraw operations from the region.
The decision by the operator, comes days after Betclic announced that it would no longer allow wagering and accept customer subscriptions from Belgium.
Betclic Everest announced its decision following the Russian gaming authorities’ decision to extend its internet ISP blacklist. It is thought that the Russian Government will look to toughen its stance on unlicensed igaming operators, as Russia looks to set a future igaming policy.
Russian ISP blocks have affected a number of igaming operators including Unibet, Pokerstars and Bwin. The blocks have been undertaken by Russian internet watchdog – Roskomnadzor.
Betclic Everest, actions to withdraw from the region have been followed by sports betting exchange Betfair that they would no longer accept customers from the Russian Federation.
Betclic Everest are set to make more statements regarding their decision to withdraw operations from the region.
May 11, 2012
Belgium Adds To Online Poker Blacklist
The Belgium Gaming Commission has expanded its blacklist of companies which internet service providers in the country must block.
New additions to the list include bwin.com, betsson.com, bet-at-home.com, betclic.com, williamhill.com, stanjames.com, and betfair.com, all of which offer online poker.
These companies join the likes of 888.com, titanpoker.be, winamax.fr and everestpoker.be.
Belgian authorities claim the blacklist offer opportunities to legitimate operators who apply for licences while protecting players from ‘illegal’ sites which operate without a licence in the country.
New additions to the list include bwin.com, betsson.com, bet-at-home.com, betclic.com, williamhill.com, stanjames.com, and betfair.com, all of which offer online poker.
These companies join the likes of 888.com, titanpoker.be, winamax.fr and everestpoker.be.
Belgian authorities claim the blacklist offer opportunities to legitimate operators who apply for licences while protecting players from ‘illegal’ sites which operate without a licence in the country.
September 20, 2011
Nicolas Beraud leaves Betclic Everest
One of the most high profile CEOs in the Online Gambling Industry has stepped down from his role at Betclic Everest.
Nicolas Beraud who founded Betclic in 2005 and then become CEO of the combined group following his company’s 2008 acquisition by Betclic Everest when it was known as Mangas Gaming.
Mr Ignacio Martos, CEO of travel comparison website Opodo has been named as his immediate replacement. Mr Martos resigned from Opodo in July of 2011 after five years with Opodo.
The merger of Opodo, eDreams and Go Voyages was completed this year, Martos said at the time he is handing over power of the now merged group to eDreams CEO Javier Perez-Tenessa. It seems Mr Martos was already lined-up for Betclic Everest after his departure from Opodo.
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Martos said: “I chose to join the Betclic Everest Group because I am convinced that in a context of markets opening in Europe, this sector has strong potential for growth. Internet has already revolutionised our lifestyles and our patterns of consumption and there is a real place to be taken to further enrich the range of leisure and feed the passion of users, in sport as in poker.”
Nicolas Beraud who founded Betclic in 2005 and then become CEO of the combined group following his company’s 2008 acquisition by Betclic Everest when it was known as Mangas Gaming.
Mr Ignacio Martos, CEO of travel comparison website Opodo has been named as his immediate replacement. Mr Martos resigned from Opodo in July of 2011 after five years with Opodo.
The merger of Opodo, eDreams and Go Voyages was completed this year, Martos said at the time he is handing over power of the now merged group to eDreams CEO Javier Perez-Tenessa. It seems Mr Martos was already lined-up for Betclic Everest after his departure from Opodo.
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Martos said: “I chose to join the Betclic Everest Group because I am convinced that in a context of markets opening in Europe, this sector has strong potential for growth. Internet has already revolutionised our lifestyles and our patterns of consumption and there is a real place to be taken to further enrich the range of leisure and feed the passion of users, in sport as in poker.”
January 11, 2011
Béraud appointed president of BetClic Everest
Nicolas Béraud, the founder of BetClic, has been named the new president of the BetClic Everest Group.
He replaces Stéphane Courbit, founder and former chairman of the group which changed its name from Mangas Gaming in November. Courbit has stepped down after more than two years in the role.
Béraud set up BetClic in 2005, selling the bookmaker to Courbit’s Mangas group in 2008, and had been CEO of the group since March last year. In his new role, he will be tasked with overseeing the management of the four companies under BetClic Everest’s control: Everest Gaming, BetClic, Bet-at-Home and Expekt.
In addition to serving as CEO of the BetClic Everest Group, Béraud was interim CEO of Expekt following the departure of Per Widerström in December 2009.
He is not the only member of the group to move into a new role. Former vice-chairwoman Isabelle Parize is now the new chief of the group’s skill games site SkillStar.com, while Jean-Laurent Nabet has been named as the new chairman of the group’s holding company, which is split evenly between Stéphane Courbit’s Lov Group and high-end hotel owners Societe des Bains de Mer.
Courbit’s influence within BetClic Everest will not be entirely eliminated. Lov Group still controls 50% of the group’s holding company, whose new chairman Nabet has worked alongside the 45-year-old entrepreneur since joining Lov Group in 2008.
BetClic Everest rose three places to fourth in eGR’s 2010 Power 50, but moves to regulate European markets – and the French market in particular – have grated with the group’s management.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro last November, former Endemol France chairman Courbit claimed French authorities were responsible for imposing the “worst online gambling laws in Europe.”
At the time he complained that “we are overtaxed, the scope of authorised gambling is too limited and the rate of return to players is too low.”
He replaces Stéphane Courbit, founder and former chairman of the group which changed its name from Mangas Gaming in November. Courbit has stepped down after more than two years in the role.
Béraud set up BetClic in 2005, selling the bookmaker to Courbit’s Mangas group in 2008, and had been CEO of the group since March last year. In his new role, he will be tasked with overseeing the management of the four companies under BetClic Everest’s control: Everest Gaming, BetClic, Bet-at-Home and Expekt.
In addition to serving as CEO of the BetClic Everest Group, Béraud was interim CEO of Expekt following the departure of Per Widerström in December 2009.
He is not the only member of the group to move into a new role. Former vice-chairwoman Isabelle Parize is now the new chief of the group’s skill games site SkillStar.com, while Jean-Laurent Nabet has been named as the new chairman of the group’s holding company, which is split evenly between Stéphane Courbit’s Lov Group and high-end hotel owners Societe des Bains de Mer.
Courbit’s influence within BetClic Everest will not be entirely eliminated. Lov Group still controls 50% of the group’s holding company, whose new chairman Nabet has worked alongside the 45-year-old entrepreneur since joining Lov Group in 2008.
BetClic Everest rose three places to fourth in eGR’s 2010 Power 50, but moves to regulate European markets – and the French market in particular – have grated with the group’s management.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro last November, former Endemol France chairman Courbit claimed French authorities were responsible for imposing the “worst online gambling laws in Europe.”
At the time he complained that “we are overtaxed, the scope of authorised gambling is too limited and the rate of return to players is too low.”
November 25, 2010
Mangas rebrands as BetClic Everest Group
Mangas Gaming has renamed itself the BetClic Everest Group.
Nicolas Beraud said the new identity of the group reflected the strength of Mangas’ two flagship brands, sports betting operator BetClic and top three French poker room Everest Poker.
“At a time when markets are regulating in Europe we wanted to, alongside our shareholders, move to the next chapter [of development]. The two brands [BetClic and Everest] are the two most referenced by our customers and will form the new identity of the group, a sign that the customer is at the heart of our future strategy development,” said Beraud.
BetClic, Everest, BetAtHome and Expekt owner Mangas, now BetClic Everest, is a 50/50 joint venture between Monaco casino and luxury hotel owner Societe des Bains de Mer and former Endemol France chief executive Stephane Courbit’s Lov Group.
Nicolas Beraud said the new identity of the group reflected the strength of Mangas’ two flagship brands, sports betting operator BetClic and top three French poker room Everest Poker.
“At a time when markets are regulating in Europe we wanted to, alongside our shareholders, move to the next chapter [of development]. The two brands [BetClic and Everest] are the two most referenced by our customers and will form the new identity of the group, a sign that the customer is at the heart of our future strategy development,” said Beraud.
BetClic, Everest, BetAtHome and Expekt owner Mangas, now BetClic Everest, is a 50/50 joint venture between Monaco casino and luxury hotel owner Societe des Bains de Mer and former Endemol France chief executive Stephane Courbit’s Lov Group.
November 13, 2010
Mangas receives Gibraltar licence
BetClic, Everest Gaming, Bet-at-home and Expekt owner Mangas Gaming has obtained a Gibraltar egaming licence and will be moving around 50 staff to the jurisdiction.
Mangas Gaming chief executive Nicolas Beraud (pictured) said the addition of a Gibraltar licence to its existing licences in Malta, France and Italy would support the operator’s continued expansion across Europe.
”We believe Gibraltar is the premium gaming jurisdiction in Europe and with our continued European expansion, we believe that Mangas Gaming will be perfectly placed moving forwards.” said Beraud.
The operator, which recently rose to fourth position in eGR’s 2010 Power 50 ranking of the most influential operators in egaming, from seventh last year, will employ approximately 50 staff in the British overseas territory.
Mangas Gaming chief executive Nicolas Beraud (pictured) said the addition of a Gibraltar licence to its existing licences in Malta, France and Italy would support the operator’s continued expansion across Europe.
”We believe Gibraltar is the premium gaming jurisdiction in Europe and with our continued European expansion, we believe that Mangas Gaming will be perfectly placed moving forwards.” said Beraud.
The operator, which recently rose to fourth position in eGR’s 2010 Power 50 ranking of the most influential operators in egaming, from seventh last year, will employ approximately 50 staff in the British overseas territory.
July 22, 2010
Everest joins BetClic as Lyon sponsor
Everest Poker has joined BetClic as shirt sponsor of top-tier French football team Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon).
The Everest Poker logo will appear on the away kit of the French Ligue 1 team, while that of Mangas Gaming-owned BetClic will continue to appear on the strip at home games.
Sandrine Mangia-Park, director of Everest Poker France, said: “By becoming a sponsor of Olympique Lyonnais, we want to associate the sport values of the poker community with those of Lyon's football team: playing the game responsibly and respecting their partners”
The sponsorship represents Everest’s first move into football sponsorship since it was bought by Mangas Gaming last December, as the brand looks to take advantage of the relaxation of advertising restrictions on egaming operators following the re-regulation of the French poker market last month.
Other Mangas Gaming owned operators BetClic, BetAtHome and Expekt have pursued a slew of football sponsorships across Europe in recent years. BetClic also sponsors French champions Marseille, Juventus and no less than 13 Portuguese teams
The Everest Poker logo will appear on the away kit of the French Ligue 1 team, while that of Mangas Gaming-owned BetClic will continue to appear on the strip at home games.
Sandrine Mangia-Park, director of Everest Poker France, said: “By becoming a sponsor of Olympique Lyonnais, we want to associate the sport values of the poker community with those of Lyon's football team: playing the game responsibly and respecting their partners”
The sponsorship represents Everest’s first move into football sponsorship since it was bought by Mangas Gaming last December, as the brand looks to take advantage of the relaxation of advertising restrictions on egaming operators following the re-regulation of the French poker market last month.
Other Mangas Gaming owned operators BetClic, BetAtHome and Expekt have pursued a slew of football sponsorships across Europe in recent years. BetClic also sponsors French champions Marseille, Juventus and no less than 13 Portuguese teams
June 19, 2010
Everest Gaming sues Harrah's Entertainment Inc. again
In the gambling world there are little fish and big fish and every size in between and that goes for not only the players but the casino operators too. A not so small online poker operation has accused the really big Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. of infringing on it's trademark.
A dispute between Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.’s World Series of Poker and Everest Poker, has been stepped up a notch with Everest actually filing another law suit against Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.
Ultra Internet Media S.A. the parent company of Everest Poker brought legal teams in back in April, bringing Harrah's into the federal court in Las Vegas, claiming Harrah’s breached a sponsorship agreement. Everest complained in that lawsuit that during broadcasts of the poker tournament in France by ESPN affiliate television network RTL9, the Everest Poker image was electronically replaced with the “virtual signage” of competitor Full Tilt Poker’s logo.
Harrah’s denied it violated the sponsorship deal and filed its own suit against Everest, charging breach of contract as well as other claims.
In the latest legal action by Everest Gaming Ltd., who claims ownership of the Everest Poker trademarks, contended that Harrah’s subsidiary Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment Inc. continues to use Everest trademarks during the 2010 World Series of Poker. The lawsuit maintains that, "The felt on the poker tables being used for the 2010 World Series of Poker features at least one of Everest’s Everest Poker logo trademarks," and "The Everest Poker trademarks also are on display at the Rio as large banners or wall posters, on the ‘inner rung’ of certain tables used for the 2010 World Series of Poker and on television monitors in the casino displaying the schedule of events." Everest Gaming, says in the litigation that, "the defendants are refusing to remove the trademarks in an effort to try to force payment by Everest for defendant’s use of such marks, and in order to bolster the legitimacy of the World Series of Poker in the minds of tournament participants, fans and the viewing public." Thus far Harrah's has not responded to the latest legal assault.
A dispute between Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.’s World Series of Poker and Everest Poker, has been stepped up a notch with Everest actually filing another law suit against Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.
Ultra Internet Media S.A. the parent company of Everest Poker brought legal teams in back in April, bringing Harrah's into the federal court in Las Vegas, claiming Harrah’s breached a sponsorship agreement. Everest complained in that lawsuit that during broadcasts of the poker tournament in France by ESPN affiliate television network RTL9, the Everest Poker image was electronically replaced with the “virtual signage” of competitor Full Tilt Poker’s logo.
Harrah’s denied it violated the sponsorship deal and filed its own suit against Everest, charging breach of contract as well as other claims.
In the latest legal action by Everest Gaming Ltd., who claims ownership of the Everest Poker trademarks, contended that Harrah’s subsidiary Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment Inc. continues to use Everest trademarks during the 2010 World Series of Poker. The lawsuit maintains that, "The felt on the poker tables being used for the 2010 World Series of Poker features at least one of Everest’s Everest Poker logo trademarks," and "The Everest Poker trademarks also are on display at the Rio as large banners or wall posters, on the ‘inner rung’ of certain tables used for the 2010 World Series of Poker and on television monitors in the casino displaying the schedule of events." Everest Gaming, says in the litigation that, "the defendants are refusing to remove the trademarks in an effort to try to force payment by Everest for defendant’s use of such marks, and in order to bolster the legitimacy of the World Series of Poker in the minds of tournament participants, fans and the viewing public." Thus far Harrah's has not responded to the latest legal assault.
June 08, 2010
Bwin, BetClic, Everest among first French licensees
Bwin has achieved the distinction of being the only non-French operator among the first wave of online gaming licences handed out by French regulator ARJEL this morning.
The Austrian operator received licences to offer poker and sports betting into the French market both directly via its BES SAS French subsidary and in partnership with media conglomerate Amaury Group. Mangas Gaming-owned Everest Poker was the only other operator with significant business outside of France among the 11 operators directly licensed by the French regulatory authority this morning.
Other major egaming operators now in the French market on a B2B basis via partnerships with licensed operators include PartyGaming, via its poker JV with PMU, Paddy Power through providing fixed odds pricing and risk management to PMU, and Unibet, providing pools-based sports betting via France Pari, announced this morning. Software provider Orbis is also providing PMU with its sports betting platforms.
Alex Dreyfus, chief executive of ChiliGaming, awarded a sports betting licence for its joint venture with French telecoms and internet service provider group Iliad, told EGRMagazine.com that the pair had worked “18 months on this project to be one of the first to have a licence.”
Dreyfus however added that the “very tough” technology and compliance requirements of the ARJEL meant they would not be ready to go live ahead of the football World Cup, which starts this Friday.
The ChiliGaming chief executive also remarked on the fact that only one non-French operator, Bwin, was in the first round of approvals. “I think it was a first filter. But they are going to issue more licences at the end of the month,” he added.
The full list of licence approvals this morning was as follows:
BetClic (BetClic.fr): pari-mutuel horse race betting, poker, sports– fixed odds and pool betting.
Beturf (Groupe Paris Turf): pari-mutuel horse race betting.
BES SAS (Bwin’s French subsidiary: Bwin.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Bwin/Amaury Groupe (Sajoo.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
EverestPoker (EverestPoker.fr): poker.
France Pari (France-Pari.fr): sports – pool betting.
La Française des Jeux (ParionsWeb.fr): sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Iliad Gaming/ChiliGaming (Chilipari.fr): sports – fixed odds and pool betting
Pari Mutuel Urbain (Pmu.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
SPS Betting (Eurosportbet.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Table 14 (Winamax.fr) : poker.
The Austrian operator received licences to offer poker and sports betting into the French market both directly via its BES SAS French subsidary and in partnership with media conglomerate Amaury Group. Mangas Gaming-owned Everest Poker was the only other operator with significant business outside of France among the 11 operators directly licensed by the French regulatory authority this morning.
Other major egaming operators now in the French market on a B2B basis via partnerships with licensed operators include PartyGaming, via its poker JV with PMU, Paddy Power through providing fixed odds pricing and risk management to PMU, and Unibet, providing pools-based sports betting via France Pari, announced this morning. Software provider Orbis is also providing PMU with its sports betting platforms.
Alex Dreyfus, chief executive of ChiliGaming, awarded a sports betting licence for its joint venture with French telecoms and internet service provider group Iliad, told EGRMagazine.com that the pair had worked “18 months on this project to be one of the first to have a licence.”
Dreyfus however added that the “very tough” technology and compliance requirements of the ARJEL meant they would not be ready to go live ahead of the football World Cup, which starts this Friday.
The ChiliGaming chief executive also remarked on the fact that only one non-French operator, Bwin, was in the first round of approvals. “I think it was a first filter. But they are going to issue more licences at the end of the month,” he added.
The full list of licence approvals this morning was as follows:
BetClic (BetClic.fr): pari-mutuel horse race betting, poker, sports– fixed odds and pool betting.
Beturf (Groupe Paris Turf): pari-mutuel horse race betting.
BES SAS (Bwin’s French subsidiary: Bwin.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Bwin/Amaury Groupe (Sajoo.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
EverestPoker (EverestPoker.fr): poker.
France Pari (France-Pari.fr): sports – pool betting.
La Française des Jeux (ParionsWeb.fr): sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Iliad Gaming/ChiliGaming (Chilipari.fr): sports – fixed odds and pool betting
Pari Mutuel Urbain (Pmu.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
SPS Betting (Eurosportbet.fr): poker, sports – fixed odds and pool betting.
Table 14 (Winamax.fr) : poker.
April 09, 2010
Everest Poker sues World Series of Poker
According to the Las Vegas Sun, Ultra Internet Media, which owns the Everest Poker brand, filed a lawsuit in a Las Vegas federal court last week against Harrah's Entertainment, which owns the World Series of Poker.
Ultra Internet Media agreed on a three-year, $22.5 million on-felt sponsorship deal to include the 2008, 2009 and 2010 WSOP. The Everest Poker logo was to appear prominently on the felt of every table, including all television tables. UIM alleges that repeatedly, and as recently as Feb 14, 2010, a French television affiliate, RTL9 not only failed to display the Everest logo but instead featured Full Tilt Poker's logo, an obvious competitor for the French online poker operator, which noted that it does not generate any gaming revenue in the United States.
It seems that the transgression has been a recurring problem and that Harrah's, ESPN and UIM met in February of 2009 to discuss the issue. According to the the suit "Harrah’s and ESPN agreed to control their affiliate, RTL9, and require RTL9 to cease causing violations of the agreement during its broadcasts and transmissions into France."
The lawsuit claims that UIM has paid the full amounts of the deal for 2008 ($6.2 million) and 2009 ($7.9 million) but has no intention of continuing with the agreement in 2010, and has notified Harrah's of its decision to pull out of the 2010 WSOP, which according to the original deal would cost UIM $8.4 million.
According to the Las Vegas Sun, "Seth Palansky, a spokesman for Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment Inc. and Harrah’s World Series of Poker, on Friday said the company had not been served with the lawsuit and would have no immediate comment on the allegations."
Ultra Internet Media agreed on a three-year, $22.5 million on-felt sponsorship deal to include the 2008, 2009 and 2010 WSOP. The Everest Poker logo was to appear prominently on the felt of every table, including all television tables. UIM alleges that repeatedly, and as recently as Feb 14, 2010, a French television affiliate, RTL9 not only failed to display the Everest logo but instead featured Full Tilt Poker's logo, an obvious competitor for the French online poker operator, which noted that it does not generate any gaming revenue in the United States.
It seems that the transgression has been a recurring problem and that Harrah's, ESPN and UIM met in February of 2009 to discuss the issue. According to the the suit "Harrah’s and ESPN agreed to control their affiliate, RTL9, and require RTL9 to cease causing violations of the agreement during its broadcasts and transmissions into France."
The lawsuit claims that UIM has paid the full amounts of the deal for 2008 ($6.2 million) and 2009 ($7.9 million) but has no intention of continuing with the agreement in 2010, and has notified Harrah's of its decision to pull out of the 2010 WSOP, which according to the original deal would cost UIM $8.4 million.
According to the Las Vegas Sun, "Seth Palansky, a spokesman for Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment Inc. and Harrah’s World Series of Poker, on Friday said the company had not been served with the lawsuit and would have no immediate comment on the allegations."
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