Poker News – Is it doom and gloom in France? Some might say so, since regulated online poker has been steadily declining in France since new regulations began in 2010. According to the first quarter report released by France’s online gaming regulator ARJEL about the country’s online poker regulated market, the number of regulated cash game players is shrinking significantly. Cash game traffic dropped by 19 percent year over year, and perhaps even more alarming was the 28percent decline compared to two years ago. ARJEL also shared its concerns about trends in the French market by implying poker operators “are…

iGaming Business – New Jersey online poker revenue levels hit a new low in May after the US state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) reported a second consecutive monthly decline in internet poker revenue. The DGE posted online poker revenue of $2.3 million in May, a decrease of about 12.3% compared to the previous month. In April, the state also suffered a 19.3% month-on-month revenue drop to $2.6 million, but the May figures place online poker revenue at its lowest since it became regulated in New Jersey late last year. Total internet gaming win for May was $10.5 million, down from…

Ladbrokes’ planned launch of Mexican sports betting brand Sportium.mx, has been delayed due to regulatory issues, according to eGaming Review.  The Mexican sports betting brand was set to launch this week ahead of the 2014 Brazil Word Cup. Ladbrokes have not disclosed details on the regulatory issues concerning Sportium.mx. However a Ladbrokes statement commented that the delay would ‘not be a big problem’. The delay will see Ladbrokes launch the Mexican and Latin American facing brand for September 2014, in order to coincide with the start of the American National Football League (NFL) season. In 2013, Ladbrokes enter new igaming…

Canadian gaming provider Amaya Gaming is set to acquire Rational Group, the parent company of the world’s leading online poker site PokerStars, for US$4.9bn (€3.6bn). Amaya struck the deal with Oldford Group Limited, the holding company for Rational Group and will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Oldford Group in an all-cash transaction for an aggregate purchase price, which includes certain differed payments and is subject to other customary adjustments. The transaction will be financed by a combination of cash on hand, new debt, and a private placement of subscription receipts, common shares and non-voting convertible preferred….

iGaming Business – GalaBingo.com, the online bingo brand of betting operator Gala Coral, has launched a new internet sports and entertainment option that is aimed at all forms of players. Open to customers of GalaBingo.com, Gala Flutter offers betting on the most traditional and popular sports such as football, horseracing and tennis, covering events such as this summer’s Fifa World Cup national team football competition and the annual Wimbledon tennis championships. In addition, Gala Flutter will also offer entertainment betting, with a focus on UK television. Reality television talent show Britain’s Got Talent is one programme covered by Gala Flutter,…

Card Player – Bloomberg reported on Thursday that PokerStars, the world’s largest poker website in terms of traffic, is near a deal to be acquired by Amaya Gaming Group Inc. Amaya is a maker of gambling equipment and systems. The Canada-based Amaya owns the Ongame Network, which it acquired from bwin.party in 2012. It also has partnered with the Golden Nugget for online gaming in Nevada and New Jersey. In addition, Amaya Gaming has a deal with Ultimate Gaming for online gambling in New Jersey. According to the report, PokerStars being under new ownership might give the firm a better…