Macau casino junket operator David Group has publicly clarified its plan to reduce its presence in Macau while boosting its profile in other Asian casino jurisdictions. Last week, several analysts reported that David Group was planning to close some or all of its seven VIP gaming rooms in Macau thanks to a scarcity of high-rollers caused by Beijing’s increased oversight.

On Saturday, David Group announced it would be closing three of its Macau VIP rooms: one room at MGM Macau, one at Sands China’s Four Seasons and one at L’Arc, which operates under an SJM Holdings license. The rooms will all be closed by the end of the month. David Group had already closed rooms at the Venetian Macao and Melco Crown’s City of Dreams in Q3 2014.

Director of corporate communications Frank Ng told Bloomberg the company was “adjusting our business strategy” to cope with the “general trend in the industry.” Figures released by Macau authorities show VIP gambling revenue shrunk to 60.5% of the pie in 2014, down from 73% the previous year, representing $3.25b in lost VIP revenue. Ng insisted David Group was only “hibernating” and that the closed VIP rooms could reopen if/when the VIPs return in droves.

Ng said David Group would refocus its efforts on casino markets in the Philippines, Vietnam and on South Korea’s Jeju Island. David Group also plans to establish a presence in Australia before the end of the year and also in Europe at some undetermined future date. David Group operates a travel company with its own private jets that will assist these international efforts.

VIETNAM PREFERS LOCAL INVESTORS FOR PHU QUOC CASINO

Speaking of Vietnam, the government wants to give the new casino license on Phu Quoc island to a local company. On Sunday, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked administrators to cobble together some casino regulations for the island, which lies off the country’s southern tip, close to Cambodia.

Provincial authorities have previously set aside an area of 30k-square-meters for the casino project, which will be allowed up to 400 gaming tables and 2k electronic gaming machines. The government says investors with projects already on the go on Phu Quoc will be eligible for the most incentives, but whoever wins this derby will have to meet the government’s requirement to invest a minimum of $4b bringing it to fruition.

The Linq poker room becomes the latest Las Vegas Strip poker room to shut up shop at the bequest of its owners Caesars Entertainment.

The Imperial Palace in Las Vegas – those were the days. It was a right dump, but a popular dump. I remember being stuck in a queue a mile long waiting to go through reception. I had to switch my data roaming on to check my hotel confirmation e-mail and it cost me a fiver.

I didn’t worry about that lost fiver though. I was there to play live cash games. I was going to win big. A fiver? Don’t make me laugh. I had been told, that for a small time grinder like myself, The Imperial Palace was the perfect place to play poker. It was full of drunks handing out money with the speed at which Sheldon Adelson hands it out to presidential candidates.

It wasn’t full of drunks. It was full of small time grinders, like me. Nobody played a hand. Everybody was searching for the nuts. There were more folds than a Post Office. It’s not full of drunks today. It’s full of nobody. It’s deader than Roy Orbison.

A very large ball hit the Imperial Palace. I guess it wasn’t only me that thought it was a dump. In its place rose The Quad. That also looked like a dump – from the outside at least. I always though The Quad was a lackluster name for a Las Vegas Strip hotel. Caesars Entertainment eventually came to my way of thinking.

In Oct 2014, that battered old building became The Linq. A new casino/resorts complex that was accompanied by the world’s largest observation wheel. It twinkles in the night and reminds me of Blackpool. On Sunday afternoon, The Linq became the latest in a long list of Vegas casinos to close its poker room. Caesars may be making ground online – but they couldn’t find the bums to fill the seats in the 8-table poker room.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the closure of the Linq Poker Room. We want to thank you all for the years of patronage and support

A federal court in Nevada has awarded casino operator Las Vegas Sands a $2m default judgment against online gambling operators caught infringing on Sands’ trademarks. Last June, Sands filed trademark infringement suits in Nevada against the unknown operators of 35 online domains that were making liberal and unauthorized use of the Sands logo, Chinese characters that translate to ‘golden sands’ and images of the Marina Bay Sands casino in Singapore.

In his Jan. 14 ruling, US District Judge James Mahan awarded Sands $2m in damages and issued a permanent injunction barring the online operators from using the trademarks. All well and good but until the operators are identified, collecting the damages and enforcing the injunction will be akin to capturing a rainbow in a jar.

Sands is far from alone in having its intellectual property used without its permission. Last August, Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group warned the public about “bogus lookalike” online gambling sites utilizing its trademarks. A couple years prior, Caesars Entertainment lost a domain squabble with a Bangkok massage parlor that had the foresight to register the domains before Caesars did. But the Sands infringement was particularly ironic, given the anti-online gambling jihad currently being waged by Sands chairman Sheldon Adelson.

In other Sands news, the company announced that Sands China president and CEO Ed Tracy (pictured) will step down from his post effective March 6. Tracy, who ranked ninth on the most recent Inside Asian Gaming chart of the industry’s biggest movers and shakers, is said to be ‘retiring’ but will continue to work with Sands as a consultant and will assist management during the transition to new leadership.

Tracy assumed Sands China’s reins following the 2010 dismissal of Steve Jacobs, who has been waging a legal battle over his ouster ever since. An unidentified gaming analyst told Gambling Compliance that Tracy was invaluable at restoring frayed relations between Sands, Macau and Beijing. Tracy’s exit follows Sands COO Mike Leven, who left the company at the end of 2014. The two execs timed their exits to coincide with Macau’s worst revenue slump since the 2008 global economic meltdown. Well played, sirs.

Animal lovers around the world were transfixed by the recent story of Kai, a Shar Pei dog found abandoned at a train station in Ayr, Scotland. Like a real-life canine version of the beloved children’s book character Paddington the bear, Kai was discovered alone at the station on Jan. 2, tied to a railing next to a suitcase full of his belongings (toy, bowl, food and a pillow).

Kai had been abandoned by a woman who’d traveled to the station with the intent of purchasing a dog she’d previewed online. But the woman claimed the dog didn’t resemble the picture she’d seen and that the dog’s owner beat a hasty exit before she could finish protesting the switcheroo. The woman claimed she’d left Kai behind because she had to catch a train back to Aberdeen.

Kai eventually found his way to the Scottish SPCA, who discovered Kai suffering from eyelashes curling inside his eyelids, a condition common to his breed. Donations from well-wishers captivated by Kai’s story helped pay for operations on both eyes to alleviate the dog’s suffering.

Among those contributing to the SPCA’s kitty was online gambling operator Bodog, who have served as shirt sponsor for the Ayr United football team over the past four years. Bodog brand founder Calvin Ayre called Kai’s story “one we couldn’t ignore and we wish him all the best in finding a great home.”

However, Ayre acknowledged that “we do have a slight agenda as well; we are desperately hoping Kai’s fighting spirit will rub off on his local team as the Honest Men really need a boost right now.” The team has undergone a prolonged winless streak that has left the team languishing near the bottom of the Scottish League One standings.

Ayr United recently appointed Ian McCall (pictured, with Kai) to replace former manager Mark Roberts. McCall, who previously managed Dundee United and Glasgow’s Partick Thistle FC, took the opportunity to rub Kai for luck during a visit to the Scottish SPCA’s Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

SPCA Senior Animal Care Assistant Alan Grant thanked Bodog for its “very kind donation” and said the SPCA staff had been “touched by the generosity and good wishes of animal lovers all over the world who have followed Kai’s story.”

Caesars (CZR) almost got away with it. But as of yesterday, it looks like they were caught just as they were about to get in their getaway car. They tried to sneak all their assets into an untouchable shell, away from the justifiably grabby arms of second lien creditors, to which Caesars owes $5.24B. On January 19, Judge Shira Scheindlin (not to be confused with Judge Judith Sheindlin of “Judge Judy” TV fame, though it would be awesome if it were Judge Judy who issued the ruling) issued a rather logical ruling as rulings go, saying that Caesars cannot sneak all its assets into a steel shell out of the hands of second lien creditors without their consent.

Scheindlin cited the “Trust Indenture Act of 1939,” which, while it probably contains a bunch of needless regulations and other legislative and bureaucratic gauntlets with some goodies and kickbacks for FDR’s cronies, does at least say one thing that makes sense – no out-of-court restructuring of debt agreements without 100% consent of noteholders.

Says Bloomberg:

The judge found that the company’s alleged elimination of the guarantees was “an impermissible out-of-court restructuring” that is “exactly” what a provision of the 1939 law “is designed to prevent,” according to her ruling.

Here’s how it went down. Caesars was trying to move all of its goodies into Caesars Entertainment Corporation, the tradable entity, which would not go bankrupt. If you’re wondering why CZR was only a little bit down on Friday despite the “Caesars Declares Bankruptcy” headlines, that’s why. It would cover first lien creditors to the tune of 92% and be thus placated, or in other words an 8% haircut. The second lien creditors, however, would only get $549M out of $5.24B, for an insulting 90% haircut on their bonds, 10 cents on the dollar, peanuts really.

The second lien creditors, understandably, were livid. They filed suit, and Caesars attempted to defend itself by saying that since there has been no technical default yet, and all debt payments have been remitted so far, that the second lien creditors have no right to complain about what Caesars is doing under the table. Judge Scheindlin didn’t buy it.

The only problem left was that the bankruptcy was still in process, freezing all other rulings in the meantime, including Scheindlin’s. She got around that by saying that while her ruling does not apply to the bankrupt Caesars Entertainment Operating Company – the entity where Caesers Entertainment Corporation stuck all its bad debt – her ruling does apply to Caesars Entertainment Corporation, the tradable CZR, because it is not bankrupt according to the restructuring.

Irish independent bookmaker, Boylesports, has expanded its land-based network in the country to over 200 sites after it acquired six outlets from Tully Bookmakers for a reported €2 million.

The bookmaker agreed to purchase half of Tully Bookmakers’ retail betting inventory. Boylesports will redesign and redevelop the purchased bookmaker stores in-line with the company’s retail layout.

Boylesports spokesperson said that staff working in the six sites are not in any danger of losing their jobs and that the bookmaker plans to take on additional employees to support the expansion.

“The acquisition brings us to 205 stores which brings us over 200 stores for the first time. We are going to invest significantly in the new shops, invest in new tech and bring them up to a modern standard,” said a Boylesports spokesman.

“We are delighted with this acquisition which allows us to significantly grow in the South East. We look forward to extending Boylesports’ industry-leading suite of products to existing Tully customers in the region,” said CEO and Founder of Boylesports John Boyle.

Boyle also said in a recent interview with the Irish Independent that the company was close to the limits of its expansion in Ireland and a UK move “would be one of the next steps.”

Paddy Power had also been linked with a potential acquisition of the six sites but a spokesperson for the bookmaker declined to comment in the deal.

The Manila Jockey Club, through its property unit, MJC Investment Corporation, has approved the issuance of shares to Hong Kong-based investors, creating more funds to help in the construction of the firm’s resort and entertainment project in Manila.

According to a disclosure to the 450 million shares, MJC Investments’ strategic investors from Hong Kong is set to subscribe an additional 673.791 million shares in the company. Details on the transaction are still being kept under wraps, including the amount of money the Hong Kong investors, represented by Cheah Teik Seng, paid for to subscribe to the new shares.

The new round of investments from Cheah Teik Seng and other Hong Kong investors, which also includes East Bonham Holdings Incorporated, Branford Ridge Holdings Incorporated, Orchardstar Holdings Incorporated, Belltower Lakes Holdings Incorporated, Purple Cassady Holdings Incorporated, and Cherrygrove Holdings Incorporated, is the second infusion of money the Hong Kong investors have put into MJC, following a February 2013 agreement between the two sides that saw investors subscribe to 450 million shares in the company at a subscription price of Php1 per share, amounting to Php450 million.

The new influx of funding could go a long way in MJC’s new resort and entertainment development. The project, which includes a five-star hotel, is located on a 7,500-square meter site inside the San Lazaro Tourism and Business Park. Once its fully developed, the site would complement existing high-end projects in the area, including a high-end residential condominium project between MJC and Ayala Land incorporated.

It’s also part of an ongoing revitalization program for San Lazaro, which MJC is tying to polish up to cater to local visitors and East Asian tourists, offering them a chance to enjoy high-quality accommodations and entertainment and recreational options close to the country’s Chinatown district.

The 160-room hotel project is set to be completed within the year, adding to a growing list of business expansions currently being undertaken by MJC. The company has also established the PAGCOR Club San Lazaro in Carmona, Cavite, which is in the middle of expanding its off-track betting (OTB) network in various parts of Metro Manila and other provinces in the Philippines.

Online poker site WSOP.com has taken over as the largest room in the New Jersey and Nevada in terms of cash game traffic, a week after its decision to share liquidity with 888poker New Jersey.

WSOP.com’s traffic has shot up to 49% while 888poker’s has risen even more sharply, with a 75% increase, putting it in second place.

The partypoker network, which includes partypoker.com NJ and Borgata Poker, has led the competition since the launch of its online poker in New Jersey in November 2013, now languishes in third, despite not losing any traffic. The 30-day moving average of cash game traffic at the partypoker network has remained constant over the last month.

The upsurge in traffic may not be completely down to liquidity sharing. It appears that the market is enjoying a mid-January boom, with the seven day moving average rising to 476 cash game seats compared to 356 a week ago.

Borgata is also in the midst of its tournament festival, the Garden State Super Series, which may be keeping players away from the cash tables.

Marketing efforts such as WSOP.com improving its rewards system, offering a higher level of rakeback for high-volume players and 888 offering a double VIP points throughout January; were also looked at as contributing factors to the change of lead.

The Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) report on regulated gaming revenues showed a good increase of 10% in December. The rise is expected to continue if rumors that PokerStars will be licensed as soon as March, attracting new blood to online poker and help reinvigorate the market.

January 20, 2015, Manila -The Asian Poker Tour (APT) has announced it will open the first APT Poker Room at the Manila Pavilion Casino Filipino in Ermita, Manila, Philippines, before the end of February. The room will consist of eight operating cash tables as well as tournament tables.

“For us it’s very much a strategic business move that we have been exploring for some time now; when suitable space became available at the very busy Casino Filipino at the Manila Pavilion we thought it ideal for what we want to achieve moving forward,” said APT CEO Jeff Mann.

“We have already set the dates for our events there in 2015 and expect to stage at least two events per year at RWM for many years to come. The APT Poker Room will simply fuel more players through satellite tournaments to these events as it will for all APT tournaments being organized in other countries,” added Mann.

About the Asian Poker Tour

The Asian Poker Tour was founded in 2008. Its first tournament was held in May of 2008 in the Philippines. Since then, it has grown to one of the leading poker tournaments in Asia. To date, the APT has staged more than 30 major events and numerous smaller tournaments mainly in the Asia-Pacific Region like the Philippines, Macau, Korea and Cambodia. But the brand has also been brought as far out as India, Australia, London and Mauritius. Through these events, more than USD 10 Million in prize pools have been awarded.

With its vision of providing a world-class poker experience at every stop, the Asian Poker Tour looks to broaden its reach by visiting more countries this year.

Hong Kong-based gaming operator Silver Heritage has secured government approval in Nepal to run the Shangri-La casino at the Shangri-La Hotel & Resort.

According to Nepal’s Department of Tourism, under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Silver Heritage plans to run the casino as a joint venture with a local Nepalese company and to invest more than NPR1 billion ($10.12 million) in its new project.

In the short term, Silver Heritage has been granted the green light to prepare to start its operations of the Shangri-La casino, at least as soon as the ministry’s operation manual to run casinos in line with the new regulations are drafted. The manual is what it is, a document that specifically lists instructions, and step-by-step procedures on how to run and operate casinos.

“As soon as the manual is drafted, Silver Heritage will be issued the final operating authorization,” Department of Tourism Director General Tulasi Gautam told Asia News Network.

Silver Heritage is the only the operator that has applied to operate a casino under the new casino regulation. Hotel Everest’s Everest Casino and a casino in Soaltee have expressed their intentions to resume operations after all the casinos were shut down in April 2014 for unpaid royalty dues and lack of operating permits under the new casino regulations.

Over in Palau, those who have been pining to see a casino in the western Pacific island will have to wait a little while longer because majority of the Senate has voted to reject a new proposal that would establish an exclusive casino license in the island country.

A bill supporting a casino license passed the country’s House of Delegates with some lawmakers arguing that a casino in the island could help generate as much as tens of millions in revenue and reduce Palau’s seeming over reliance on international donors, most specifically the United States.

UK-listed bookmaker William Hill‘s profits fell 7% in the fourth quarter of 2014. Hills issued a trading update on Tuesday saying the final three months of the year had been laid low by unfavorable results in football and horseracing. The results also endured an unfortunate comparison with Q4 2013, which saw good revenue gains across all verticals.

Q4 saw sports betting revenue fall at both retail and online thanks to the aforementioned rash of favorites cashing. But while OTC handle fell 1%, online turnover rose 16%, with in-play rising 27% and pre-match up 8%. Mobile accounted for over 50% of online wagering and 38% of online gaming revenue, the latter figure an 86% improvement over the same period last year. Retail gaming machine revenue win per week rose nearly 6% to £974.

William Hill Australia thoroughly enjoyed Q4 thanks to favorable results during the important Spring Carnival period. A revised marketing strategy helped reduce cost per acquisition by 25% and the resulting “reshaping of the customer base” helped push net revenue up 15% despite a 13% decline in turnover. William Hill US continues to grow like a weed, with turnover up 20%, revenue up 18% and profit up 14%.

For 2014 as a whole, Hills expects revenue to come in 8% higher and operating profit up 11% to £375m, handily beating analysts’ forecasts of £357m. Hills CEO James Henderson called it the company’s “best ever full-year operating profit result” thanks to markets from outside the UK rising to 18% of total revenue. Australian revenue was up 41% and the US was up 30%, while poor old telephone wagering fell 28%.

Looking forward to 2015, Hills says the year got off to “a difficult start” with yet another streak of “highly unfavorable” results. Hills also warned that the European Union’s new policy of applying VAT to electronic services could cost the company an extra £5m in 2015. Regardless, optimism abounds thanks to Hills’ online operations being “very well positioned” to absorb the impact of the UK’s new 15% point-of-consumption tax.

AUSTRALIAN CONSOLIDATION COMING

Hills confirmed that it intends to consolidate its Australian brands under the William Hill Australia moniker – and this time they mean it. Hills originally claimed there would be no rebranding of its Aussie acquisitions – Sportingbet, Centrebet and Tom Waterhouse.com – then said it would scrap the other brands, then went back to keeping the original names, and now the brands are back on the chopping block. Seriously, this time it’s going to happen.

16 January 2015, London, UK– EveryMatrix, a leading software provider in the iGaming industry, is proud to be one of the supporting sponsors of the 14th annual Fire & Ice event on 4th February at the Troxy London.

EveryMatrix is supporting this year’s event entitled Fire & Ice: The Reign of Queen Vicwhich takes guests back in time to the golden era of Victorian England. This year’s performances will be as daring, dangerous and decadent as the cream of iGaming society mingle in the opulence of the Victorian ball.

“EveryMatrix is proud to sponsor this unique industry event as we have always supported Fire & Ice in the past because it is not only extravagant debouched fun but a great opportunity to host clients, network and meet old friends in a truly relaxing environment,” Nick Hill,  Sales & Marketing Director EveryMatrix commented.

Lyceum Media’s Fire & Ice party, famous for its provocative and unique entertainment and for attracting the who’s who in gaming takes place this year on Wednesday, 4th February, at London’s Troxy Theatre and will host up to 2,000 iGaming executives on its main floor.

Fire & Ice will be free to attend for all iGaming professionals. Doors open at 9pm with the Stage Show commencing at 10 pm. EveryMatrix will host a VIP table for its distinguished guests.

Companies and executives wanting to attend the Original iGaming networking party should visit www.fireandiceparty.com for details on the party and the pre-party dinner.

Other sponsors of Fire & Ice: Reign of Queen Vic, include: Play’n GO, Affiliate REPUBLIK, Bluff Europe, Callcredit Information Group, CalvinAyre.com, CORE Gaming, Dafabet, Gamesys, Gaming Realms, iGamingBusiness Executive Conference, iGamingCalendar, iGaming Capital, Income Access Group, Magnet Gaming, Openlot, Picante Gaming/GGL, Plain Gaming, Scientific Games, Secure Trading, Sure International, VegasKings.com, WPT Europe.

“There has always been a surge mentality to get in to as many markets as possible in gaming. It doesn’t mean every company is planning it right. Maybe you know of a company that isn’t even planning to expand at all.”

“There is no excuse to not be making international efforts with your online company. Every company is unique. Go and take that uniqueness, that hook, to a new market.”

– Me

History of Expansion

iGaming has always been a global affair. This industry took advantage of tech early and rapidly. This beast exploded across the world at light speed. That is the beauty of online tech, it works almost anywhere and instantly.

For the big gaming operators, like PokerStars, 888, Party and others, pioneering into new markets has been a focus point for as long as I can remember.

For the most part, the top companies expand well and plan well. Cutting edge expansion planning really. Not always positive results, but they try. ‘Stars, (whom has signed up almost 100M players), had a bad time going into New Jersey, as did Party Poker having their CEO Norbert Teufelberger detained by police in Belgium.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have become the latest NBA team to sign a partnership with daily fantasy sports provider FanDuel.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but it’s been reported that as part of the agreement, FanDuel will receive the opportunity to promote its website through branding on in-arena signage at the Cavs’ home court, Quicken Loans Arena, and on the team’s official website. FanDuel and the Cavaliers will also launch a promotional campaign, dubbed the  ‘#FanDuelfortheWin Sweepstakes’, offering participants the opportunity to win VIP experiences at upcoming home games, as well as other prizes like tickets, autographed merchandise, and other club-related products.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the most dynamic teams in the NBA, with passionate fans and an exciting roster,” FanDuel CEO Nigel Eccles said in a statement. “The Cavs fully align with FanDuel’s mission to make sports more exciting for basketball fans.”

The new partnership with Cavaliers now brings FanDuel’s NBA partnerships to five teams, having struck separate partnership deals with the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Meanwhile, global fantasy sports platform developer Mondogoal has entered into a partnership of its own, striking a deal with football giant FC Barcelona, considered as one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world. As part of the deal, Mondogoal has already developed and launched a Barcelona-branded version of the fantasy sports game, that the club’s supporters can now access wherever they are in the world.

“Barcelona is the largest, most engaged club in the world on social media, with over 80 million Facebook followers, and we know that following will be key to the success of our partnership,” Mondogoal CEO Shergul Arshad said in a statement. “Their fans are passionate and involved in all things Barca, and this is a new, fun and innovative way for them to follow and participate with their friends and supporters around the world, in real time.”

The fantasy sports developer’s new deal with FC Barcelona is the latest in a growing number of partnerships the company has struck with other football clubs. Mondogoal already has secured deals with Italian Serie A club AC Milan and English Premier League outfits Manchester City, Liverpool, and West Ham United.

Lee Davy sits down with the founder of My Poker Pal to talk about his plans to put the community back into poker.

I don’t think there is anything more important in a person’s life than community. Stick Tom Hanks on a desert island and he starts drawing faces on footballs to keep him from going insane.

Paul Rimmer has spent 20-years in the poker industry, and during that time he has seen a lot of change. What’s bothering him the most? It’s the lack of community. As he told me during our jibber-jabber, “It’s all hoodies and sunglasses these days.”

Paul Rimmer wants the banter back, and this is how he is going to get it.

Who is Paul Rimmer?

“I’ve been in poker for 20-years, and was probably one of the first people to set up a pub league back in 2004. It was called The Premier Pub Poker League. I had a serious knee injury and couldn’t drive. I always had home games, and I got to the point where about 50 people wanted to play. So I set up a local league in a few pubs. That expanded. I got a few partners in and we created The Get Noticed Pub Poker League.”

What is My Poker Pal?

Noah Schwartz defeats Jake Schindler, in heads-up action, to win the compact and bijou World Poker Tour Alpha8 event in Florida.

Noah Schwartz has carved out a piece of history after becoming the first player to win both World Poker Tour (WPT) Main Event, and WPT Alpha8 titles.

The Floridian captured the WPT Alpha8 Florida title, on home soil, after edging out the up and coming Jake Schindler, in heads-up action, in the winner takes all format.

[Image Credit: WPT]

Winner takes all?

Unusual as the concept may sound, it was needed, as only six players showed up to contest the $100,000 buy-in, hence the $585,000 prize was reserved for the last man standing.

During my little tete-a-tete with the WPT President Adam Pliska, recently, he told me that the intention was to have a lot more Alpha8 events, but they quickly realized that the state of the poker economy had to be taken into consideration. I think this showing was a sign of that economy struggling to maintain the fast pace that the organizers set.

The teams for the Global Poker Masters are close to completion after the Global Poker Index announces the final four positions for each of the eight qualifying nations.

The Global Poker Index (GPI) has moved a tad closer to their final roster of players, for the forthcoming Global Poker Masters (GPM), after announcing the first four placements from the eight qualifying nations.

There are four changes from the automatic selections. The GPM is going to lose some star power, but the top dogs that are coming in to take their place weigh that up nicely.

“There have been no disappointments.” Said the GPI, CEO, Alex Dreyfus, when questioned about the players that dropped out. “There were some schedule conflicts for them and I wanted players that were keen to commit. Players who were keen to participate, but couldn’t guarantee their attendance had to make way for the player next in line. They understood.”

We were already aware of the biggest omission of the bunch, after Dan Colman signaled his intention not to attend very early in the process. The in-form Bryn Kenney was drafted in to replace the 2014 GPI Player of the Year, and Olivier Busquet, who replaces Pratyush Buddiga, will now join him.

There are also changes in the UK, Canadian and Russian teams. Stephen Chidwick makes way for the European No.1 money earner Sam Trickett, Mike McDonald makes way for the former World Champion, Jonathan Duhamel, and Artem Metalidi moves aside to give Igor Yaroshevsky a berth.

Dreyfus flew out to the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) to chat to the players. I asked him what the feedback was like for the GPM. It was great news.