Betfair to quit Ongame for iPoker
Exchange operator to open iPoker room alongside Ongame skin before fully migrating to Playtech in July this year.
Playtech has announced that Betfair has launched a skin on the solutions provider’s iPoker network, bringing to an end the exchange betting operator’s agreement with the Amaya owned Ongame.
The launch of a new poker offering on iPoker was first announced by Betfair in September last year, though at the time it was described as “enabling [the company] to offer ring-fenced poker products in markets that require them” such as Spain and Italy, suggesting that the operator could maintain its skin on the Ongame network.
However, today’s announcement confirms that the Ongame room will be shut down in July this year, with players migrated to the iPoker skin. Until then, dot.com players will have a choice between the two rooms.
Commenting on the deal, head of iPoker Roei Gavish said: “We’re delighted to announce Betfair’s migration to iPoker.com. Our network continues to see positive development from both a liquidity and technological standpoint, which not only benefits a large operator like Betfair but also secures Playtech’s leadership in the Poker B2B market.”
Betfair director of gaming Sam Hobcraft added: “Our intention has always been to offer our customers a rewarding and varied poker experience. Launching ‘New Betfair Poker’ on Playtech’s platform will help us to continue to achieve this goal.
“It’s a world-class product, offering unique and innovative features. This coupled with Betfair Poker’s renowned community and loyalty offerings will help us better retain our existing player base and attract a new audience to Betfair poker.”
The move marks the latest step in chief executive Breon Corcoran’s drive to return Betfair to growth since joining the company in August 2012. Corcoran has cut staff in underperforming markets, with around 50 redundancies across its helpdesk and customer service teams, before pulling out of the German, Greek and Cypriot markets.
Corcoran has also embarked on a restructure of the business, which has seen UK managing director Peter Marcus and a number of regional managers depart, as part of a move to reduce “wastage” within the business.
The restructuring has also seen a number of appointments to key roles, with Alex Gersh replacing Stephen Morana as CFO, and the appointment of managing directors for the company’s core product verticals.
Former Playdom VP Paul LaFontaine has joined as MD of games, while John McElligot was poached from eBay to serve as managing director of Betfair’s core exchange product. The pair will work alongside the operator’s former corporate development director Mark Brooker, who has been promoted to MD of sports.