Ongame Network Follows PokerStars and Leaves International 'Grey Markets'
Less than one week after Amaya Gaming announced the decision to end PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker's real-money operations in 30 so-called 'grey markets', the group has decided that the Ongame Poker Network should follow the same route.
As reported by PokerFuse, Ongame's brands as Betsson, Poker Heaven, Paf, RedKings and RedBet have ended their real-money operations in the very same markets that banned players from PokerStars and Full Tilt's real money tables beginning Oct. 1.
Similarly to what happened with PokerStars and Full Tilt, the countries that no longer have access to real money games within the Ongame Poker Network are Malaysia, Turkey, UAE, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Senegal, Nigeria, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Palestinian Territories, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda and the Vatican.
Also included in the list are Iran, Iraq, Syria, Zimbabwe, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, Cuba, Myanmar and Yemen.
Although the countries involved indicate that Ongame's traffic and revenues will be only marginally affected by this business decision, the choice to cease operations in dubious legal environments is seen by Amaya as an important step for the group's future.
Many believe that this 'normalization' of the group's activities is one of the most important steps in the process that should lead to Amaya's brands to be admitted in the United States' legalized poker market.
Formerly owned by the bwin.party Group, the Ongame poker network became a part of Amaya in 2012 when the Canada-based gambling group acquired it for a sum close to �25 million.
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