Microgaming, one of the world’s foremost developers of online casino and poker software, announced Monday that it launched a new poker network exclusively for the Italian market. Ladbrokes is Microgaming’s first poker room partner in this venture.
In early 2009, Italy’s State Monopolies Autonomous Administration (AAMS) established new online gaming regulations that ring-fence the country’s residents from the rest of the world when it comes to internet gambling. To abide by the regulations, online poker rooms must allow only Italian players on their sites, house the site’s servers in Italy, can only host tournaments, and every tournament must be pre-approved in real time by the AAMS. Prior to Microgaming, other poker rooms such as PokerStars, Party Poker, and bwin had established Italy-only rooms.
Regarding his company’s Italian entry in the online poker race, Microgaming CEO Roger Raatgever said, “With the Italian market set to become increasingly open and competitive in the months to come, we are confident that we have the right resources and alliances to support our operators and help them to succeed. Italy is an important region for the future of gaming in Europe, as it has set the standard for other countries wishing to introduce gaming regulations; it is a crucial gateway for further EU expansion. We remain committed to the Italian market and are keen to play our part in helping our licensees take full advantage of the opportunities that lie therein, and beyond.”
It reference to Raatgever’s comment on Italy’s importance, it may come as a surprise to some that it is Italy, not the U.K., that is the largest e-gaming market in Europe. According to eGaming Review, regulated e-gaming and betting activities amounted to €18.7 billion in 2009, a figure that included land-based wagering (the majority of the revenue), offshore internet gambling, and onshore internet gambling.
Ladbrokes is no stranger to Microgaming’s services since it has already partnered with the software provider for its non-Italian poker room. “Microgaming has adapted its services in a way that caters to our specific needs, as we compete in the competitive Italian market,” said Ladbrokes Italia CEO Mattia Nicelli. “We are confident that this partnership will prove mutually beneficial and that Microgaming’s new venture targeting the Italian market will emulate the success it has experienced around the world.”
The Microgaming Network ranks as the ninth largest for cash game traffic, according to PokerScout.com, although as mentioned previously, the company’s Italian offering will only host tournaments. The network is home to almost 50 online poker rooms, including Unibet, GNUF, and Crazy Poker.
