Judging by reports from a number of reliable sources this week it
seems that the Party Poker vs Poker Now issue is to end with the disappearance
of the latter.
The reports indicate that Poker Now is to be absorbed by PartyGaming
as the main skin on its network.
Poker Now has been in trouble with licensor Party Poker, which accused
it of violating agreements by offering rakebacks to its players, many
allegedly lured away from Party Poker itself.
PokerNow apparently still owes affiliates their rewards for February,
although March was paid recently. Players' money is not in danger
as Pokernow and Party Poker players are both banked by IGlobal Media,
the parent company of the network.
Online poker fora were full of comment several weeks ago on what looked
like a clash over rake rebates to players by relative newcomer Poker
Now which commenced operations last October.
PokerNow was thought to be unique among Party Poker skins because
it offered the same multi table tournaments as Party Poker itself,
to which the other skins do not have access.
PokerNow's marketing was apparently geared towards rake rebates, competing
with other skins by paying the affiliates 25 percent of rake back
at first, although it is understood that in the end some were getting
more then that.
These affiliates kicked back a sizeable chunk of this reward to the
players they had signed up. Unfortunately for them, Party Poker strictly
forbids any marketing practice that lures their players away.
Sources claimed that Party Poker lowered the boom on Poker Now by
withholding their February payments whilst the entire system was subjected
to a detailed inspection. This left Poker Now in an invidious position
vis-a-vis payment to its affiliates and sent shock waves through the
poker community, although it is believed that some affiliates paid
their players the rake back rebates out of their own pockets.
PokerNow has apparently had a previous affiliate dispute when one
of their first affiliates skipped out on a number of payments and
promises under the now notorious"SHARK" bonus code, which
promised rewarding kickbacks and DVD's. There were massive sign ups
and some people still remain unpaid with most never receiving the
promised DVD's.
Poker Now acknowledged the dispute and made the following comment:
"Discussions with PartyPoker are underway and within a few more
weeks we will be able to clarify any ambiguities associated with acceptable
marketing promotions by affiliates. During these discussions PokerNow
would still request affiliates not to offer rake back deals. We are
happy to let you know we are putting a plan into place to pay 100
percent of all monies owed, including February. This plan will be
unveiled in approximately 3-4 weeks."