Fun Demental Poker

2006 saw the 'Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act' (UIGEA) attached to some must-pass security legislation and signed into law. This act prohibited some financial transactions to offshore gambling sites and effectively criminalized online poker sites. While it did not make playing at such sites illegal, many of the biggest brands left the US market in the months that followed, including Party Poker, The iPoker Network and Everest Poker. Here we let you know there these much-loved and missed brands are today - more than 4 years after the legislation passed.

Party Poker: Once the biggest of all online poker rooms, Party took a huge hit when the act was passed and their stock market listed status lead them to pull out of the US. In the meantime their owners have paid $300 million to ensure that they are not prosecuted for any gambling activity. This site have expanded greatly in Europe and South America and are now seeing player numbers which match their pre-2006 levels. They are the 3rd largest poker site online and, though the software has been completely upgraded - are still as soft (in terms of games) as ever.

Titan Poker: As the leading site on a the iPoker Network, Titan also pulled out of the US when the legislation were passed. This site have actually grown considerably in the last few years, going from a mid-sized also-ran to the 4th largest site online. What is surprising is that they have done this with little spending on media or sponsorships compared with some of their rivals. Look out for this site when poker is eventually approved for US players.

Everest Poker: A unique site, Everest deliberately targeted international markets before the UIGEA was passed. While all the other rooms focused on the US, this one was able to grow a big player base from countries as diverse as Norway and Japan. The head start in international marketing looks to have made a big difference. Everest Poker are now the 5th biggest poker site and - despite rather 'old school' software - are growing still.

OnGame Network: This network of sites used to be bigger, and has had a patchy history since leaving the US. In 2006 the main room on this network was 'PokerRoom', this brand stopped accepting new players after being purchased by the BWin group, with the BWin brand being the major player now. Betfair recently migrated to the OnGame network - giving a nice boost. There are many smaller brand names contributing to this network, though recent software glitches have done little to improve their reputation.

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