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."