Reports this week suggest that major bookmaker Paddy Power will be entering the competitive online poker room field, although we do not yet have any indication of what software they have chosen to spearhead their attempt.
The Irish Sunday Business Post reports that Paddy Power is set to offer online poker as part of the company's expansion of its internet activities which are becoming increasingly profitable for the Irish company. The online poker facility will match up players with other users online in a real live game, and is expected to be available by the end of the year or early in 2005.
“Online poker is a logical extension of our current activities. We hope to have it ready in the coming months,” said a spokesman. Financial results this year for the online division of the company have been strong this year. For the first half, operating profits were valued at EUR 3.6 million, far exceeding the original forecast of EUR 1.8 million for the entire year. The online casino section of the site is believed to have contributed EUR 1 million.
The availability of poker should help boost revenues at Paddy Power's online division.