Betfair Study Highlights Players Concerns, Devilfish Biography in 2010 + more

Betfair Study Highlights Consumer Concerns
Betfair Poker have undertaken research to study what impact the regulatory stance of the United States, which prohibits online gambling, is having on poker players in both the UK and the US.

After the US took action to seize the online funds of gamblers, the survey reveals more than half were not aware their money could be at risk. Of those that were aware, more than three quarters have looked for what they consider to be 'safe' sites. 88% of Americans and 59% of UK players who knew about the issue also had serious concerns over their funds

Betfair has always had the policy

of not accepting bets from poker players in the United States, although many other sites do. The survey also showed a lot of confusion over which sites accepted American bets.

In light of the global recession, nearly half of the players surveyed have said they are playing less than a year before.

Richard Bloch Head of International PR, commented: "It is very difficult for operators which do not take bets out of the US to compete with those that do, because of the increased liquidity which comes from accepting the American bets.This research demonstrates that there are other factors which consumers are taking into account when it comes to choosing their preferred place to play poker online. It's no use having funds in your account if a government is going to seize them – and consumers are obviously aware of that."

Summary of key findings:
• UK: 48% are playing less than they did last year
• US: 52% are playing less than they did last year

• UK: 31% were aware of the funds seizures in the US
• US: 42% were aware of the funds seizures in the US

• UK: 69 % were not aware of the funds seizures in the US
• US: 58% were not aware of the funds seizures in the US

• UK: Of those that were aware 59% were concerned about the safety of their funds
• US: Of those that were aware 88% were concerned about the safety of their funds

• UK: 45% of those that were aware of the issues have moved sites as a result
• US: 76% of those that were aware of the issues have moved sites as a result

Poker and Porn in the Palace Man Found Guilty

Paul Page, the Royal Protection Officer who exposed the poker games and pornography rings at Buckingham Palace Security, has been found guilty of conning his colleagues out of millions. Page was deemed to have fraudulently gained £3 million from 60 people over three years.

Page unexpectedly made 'Poker and Pornography' the catalyst for a lot of tabloid headlines after he revealed, while defending himself in court, that protection officers spent most of their time playing poker, trading pornography and 'doing very little' to earn up to £60,000 a year. This was later dismissed in court as divisionary tactics; he will be sentenced later on this month.

Devilfish Biography scheduled for 2010

Penquin books have won the auction for the autobiography Dave 'The Devilfish' Ulliott. Devilfish is scheduled for the summer of 2010 and has already been described as 'uncompromising' and 'hilarious'. Joel Rickett, editorial director, said that it would "capture the true crime and lads' markets, but also create a whole new publishing genre with huge appeal".

The book will be co authored by Marcus Georgio, who accompanied Dave top the WSOP this year. We already cannot wait for the chapter on his appearance on celebrity darts.

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