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CEREUS ONLINE POKER NETWORK SOLD
2010-08-27

Little known e-gaming company buys Tokwiro's internet poker network
Taking many industry observers off-guard late Thursday was a press release from the largely unknown e-gaming firm Blanca Games revealing that it has acquired the interests of the Cereus poker network formerly owned by Tokwiro Enterprises and including well established if at times controversial sites Absolute Poker.com and UltimateBet.com.
The release did not provide details of the consideration paid or conditions for the sale, although industry sources have since confirmed that a supporting press release from Tokwiro can be expected soon. The network is unlikely to have been a cheap buy, as the deal is understood to cover all network operations, intellectual property, software, and branding rights for the constituent sites.
The Khanawake Gaming Commission, which licensed and regulated the sites, has apparently given its blessing to the deal.
The press material includes quotes from Blanca Games CEO Stuart Gordon, whom it describes as an experienced e-gaming executive, who said: “The acquisition of Cereus is a significant opportunity for us. Cereus is a major platform of well-managed assets. Over the past few years, it has created new brands, like UB.com, that are extremely well-positioned in the most desirable demographic in our market: players in the 20s and 30s age brackets.
“From our perspective, we have acquired a large, sophisticated online gaming operation with state-of-the art capabilities, ranging from compliance to business intelligence to online marketing to customer service. We see a tremendous growth opportunity in this deal and beyond, as Blanca seeks additional acquisitions in the market.
“We are confident that the Cereus Network has found an excellent home in Blanca Games. Over the past several years, Cereus has developed into an outstanding platform, which is poised for significant growth. This transaction will benefit Cereus players and employees alike. We expect no changes in the playing experience on the Cereus sites, except for the improvements that will likely be the long-term result of this transaction.”
According to internet sources, Gordon founded BingoMania.com and Helix Gaming International, and has licensing from both the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and Antigua.
Gordon has intimated that no major changes are presently contemplated in either staffing, policies or technology at Cereus. Clearly with an eye on the historical furores at Absolute Poker and UltimateBet (see previous InfoPowa reports), Gordon said: “We intend to leverage the existing strengths of the Cereus Poker Network, particularly in the areas of security and customer service. Although we are impressed with many of the new security features on the Network today, security is and will remain our top priority.”

POKERSTARS ACHIEVES ESTONIAN LICENSING
2010-08-19

Online poker flourishing in small Baltic nation
The Estonian Tax and Customs Board has issued PokerStars, the world's largest poker site, an activity license in Estonia.
Tomas Larsson, PokerStars’ Baltics country manager, said, "Applying for a licence is always a complicated process and I am therefore very happy that PokerStars has successfully met all the necessary criteria to obtain an activity license in Estonia."
Estonia is one of the smallest EU member states, but poker is flourishing and the country remains one of the most significant new markets for PokerStars, Larsson said.
PokerStars has made significant investments in Estonia during the last few years, contributing to the development of the local sports and cultural life. The company is the main sponsor of the Estonian national volleyball team which last year battled its way to the final tournament of the European Championship.
Operational licence applications have previously been approved in Italy and France for the online poker giant. PokerStars.it launched in October 2008, in compliance with Italian law. PokerStars.fr, which was granted a licence in June 2010, permits similar access for French players. Poker is booming in both countries, Larsson noted

PKR CELEBRATES FOURTH BIRTHDAY
2010-08-18

3D online poker site is not resting on its laurels
PKR.com, the UK-based 3D online poker website, has come a long way since its historic launch on August 17, 2006 with advanced graphics and innovative proprietary software.
In the past four years the online poker company has accumulated some impressive statistics that include more than 3,750,000 registered players on the site, a total of 15,850 people playing online at once, and $2,925,816.31 given away in freerolls.
PKR.com has also achieved recognition for its work, earning Online Poker Operator of the Year 2009 at the International Gaming Awards and Poker Operator of the Year 2009 from the eGaming Review Awards.
The company has launched its own poker magazine, started its own regular TV show, and sponsored London’s first licensed live poker venue. PKR.com has also fulfilled its community promise, introducing its own bi-annual live poker event PKR LIVE, and Team PKR Pro, which is made entirely of up and coming players from the site.
Marketing Director Simon Prodger said this week, “We’re very proud of our achievements to date. We came against a lot of pessimism for being so innovative when we launched, but our customers have shown that they enjoy playing in our true-to-life environment and really appreciate the community feel.”