Bodog Poker Out-Performs BetFair, Despite Recent Financial Difficulties
One has to wonder how www.BetFair.com Poker could be suffering from such stability issues with the World Series of Poker Europe, sponsored by BetFair, only a week away. Even BodogPoker, who’s suffered their own share of financial difficulties in recent months, has reportedly out-performed BetFair Poker.
BetFair Poker immediately took the opportunity to latch onto the inaugural WSOP Europe last year, expecting a potentially significant increase in membership at the online poker room. Apparently this has not been the case, as BetFair Poker continues to struggle in the vast online gambling market.
Among the top ranked rooms in regards to active, real-money player traffic (as of September 15, 2008), BetFair Poker comes in at the 16th position, just ahead PKRPoker.com and two spots behind www.BodogPoker.com. In terms of online poker rooms that do not accept US players, the top three online poker networks are the iPoker Network, PartyPoker and the OnGame Network, with BetFair taking the 9th spot.
BodogPoker has made headlines since early summer, 2008, starting with the seizure of several bank accounts (as reported by Forbes.com), and followed up with the lay-off of 200 employees and numerous reports of bounced checks from affiliates. Even so, BodogPoker sits two positions above BetFair Poker.
PokerStar.net, the largest online poker room in the world (US players accepted) upstaged BetFair Poker last weekend at EPT Barcelona when BetFair’s contracted endorsement deal with Canadian pro Sorel Mizzi was overshadowed by his label “PokerStars.net Qualifier”, as listed by organizers of the EPT title event.
BetFair had another idea to increase its popularity – inviting record-breaking Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps to take a seat at the WSOP Satellites, on the house. Phelps, though appreciative of the offer, chose instead to endorse the legendary Doyle Brunson by teaming up with DoylesRoomPoker.
Even though its online poker room has struggled with campaigns for increased traffic, cherry red casino continues to hold the top position in the UK online betting exchange market, raking in more than £50 million per week. That kind of success should ensure BetFair’s impeccable financial security across all gambling markets.