Betfair poker catching up fast to UK rivals (Article)

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Betfair poker catching up fast to UK rivals
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UK betting exchange giant Betfair’s poker room is now responsible for over 25% of players in the CryptoLogic poker network, according to the latest data released by the firm.
Betfair’s room hard-launched in May, and has to date only concentrated on marketing to its existing database.

But the firm said it has signed in excess of 15,000 users since launch, with 7,000 active users on a monthly basis.

And the firm estimates its room is now 30% the size of UK market leader Ladbrokes Poker, which has been operating since 2002.

Betfair has also stepped up the marketing for its poker room with the launch of a £100,000 online poker tournament.

The guaranteed cash pool is the first attempt by Betfair to open its poker room to users beyond its own database.

“Opening the room to a broader audience will further enhance liquidity,” said Ben Fried, Betfair’s poker manager.

Betfair said it has already gained over half as many players as arch rival William Hill.

Ironically William Hill, who has been one of the most vociferous critics of Betfair’s exchange model in the past, is also part of the CryptoLogic network.

And using the figures supplied by Betfair, along with data from pokerpulse, William Hill can be estimated to comprise around 50% of the CryptoLogic network with Betfair’s share at approximately 25%.

Other network members include Intercasino, Littlewoods, ukbetting and Ritzclublondon.

CryptoLogic is currently ranked eight on the pokerpulse website, but is ranked number one for revenue growth.

The Canadian software firm said poker is now responsible for 15% of its annual revenue, and 20% of its development team is now devoted to poker.