Party Poker Skin - Poker Now - To Disappear
Published: Friday, April 29, 2005 Online-Casinos.com
PARTY POKER SKIN TO DISAPPEAR
Final chapter in the PokerNow dispute
Judging by reports from a number of reliable sources this week it seems that
the Party Poker vs PokerNow issue is to end with the disappearance of the latter.
The reports indicate that PokerNow is to be absorbed by Party Poker as the
main skin on its network.
PokerNow 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.
Online poker expert, Pokeraddict
told us that 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 witholding 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.
Party 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."
Related Links:
EmpirePoker Review (a very popular partypoker skin)
