Partygaming and bwin Merge - Is a New Online Top Dog on the Horizon?

It was announced today that bwin and Partygaming have completed the talk of a merger and will now form one company in 2011. Essentially, the assets of bwin will be transferred to Partygaming but bwin will have the majority of the shares.
I have been watching this for a while due to the fact that I do some work for some sites run by bwin, so this merger has been of keen interest to me.Â
However, anyone that plays online poker should be keeping an eye on bwin and Partygaming over the next few months. With the potential of online gambling becoming regulated and legal in the United States, they are in a key position to become THE player in the market.
The reason I say THE player is that part of the bill that is currently in Congress is a stipulation that in order for online poker sites to become licensed, they must have conducted lawful business practices under the UIGEA.Â
That immediately may cause some sticking points for Full Tilt and PokerStars. If they somehow fail to get a license, guess who immediately will be the largest LEGAL online website?Â
Thatâs right, it would be the company that emerges from the merger.
The next few months should prove interesting on all fronts, but this merger may tilt the balance of power online. And yes, the pun was intended.
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Comments
compncards 21/03/2011 5:33am (10 years ago)
Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment PLC. They are planning on running both brands still.
JoeAdams 21/03/2011 2:55am (10 years ago)
I am wondering what would be their new brand name after the merging.
Nicky Nickname 19/08/2010 12:01pm (10 years ago)
Comp, any thoughts on what regulated online poker will be like? For example, when all players get fenced in based on nationality? Which seems to be the attitude chosen so far (France, Italy).
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