New Jersey Online Gambling Brief: Ultimate Poker Looks to Turn Things Around
It was apparently press release week in the US online gambling market, as several sites made some interesting announcements over the course of the last seven days.
Ultimate Poker made two announcements, appointing a new CMO to help turn around the struggling brand, as well as launching their latest promotion in Nevada (Sorry New Jersey), dubbed “Chase the Dream.” Take a guess which of those stories I’ll be covering below?
Another New Jersey online gaming site that has dropped off the map a bit is Betfair, but the site seems to be ramping up their marketing efforts once again, and doing so in a unique and innovative way with a new partnership and online promotions, as we’ll detail below.
In this week’s New Jersey Online Gambling Brief I’ll also take a quick look at today’s revenue figures for May, which I’ll call lackluster in an effort to follow my mom’s advice that if you don’t have anything nice to say… as well as giving you a quick rundown of an interesting legal case involving a New Jersey poker player.
Ultimate Poker Looks to Turn Around Fortunes with New CMO
This week Ultimate Gaming installed Todd Kobrin to head up the marketing department.
The former 888 Vice President for the US and Asia Pacific regions will be tasked with taking Ultimate from the bottom of the pack to the top in the US market in both Nevada and New Jersey, and wherever else online gambling is legalized.
UP should feel pretty confident with their choice as Kobrin was with 888 during their recent surge over the past two years, which has seen them become a serious global player in the online poker industry. Kobrin was also at the helm and oversaw the launch of 888 poker and the 888 Casino in New Jersey last November.
While 888’s performance in New Jersey has been spotty, it was still one of the unexpected early surprises in the market, especially their online poker room.
Kobrin will take over as the Chief Marketing Officer for the company and sees a bright future for UP.
“I am honored to be part of the Ultimate Gaming team and excited to be back in my hometown of Vegas,” remarked Kobrin in a press release announcing the hire. “I truly look forward to being part of a company that will ultimately become one of the industry leaders.”
Betfair partners with Live Nation
Prior to launching their iGaming industry in November 2013, Betfair was one of the most active advertisers in the New Jersey market, but since then they have only maintained a minimal marketing presence.
That may be changing, as the Betfair Casino in New Jersey has just announced a fairly significant partnership; announcing that it has been named” the official and exclusive online gaming sponsor of Live Nation New Jersey, the PNC Bank Arts Center and Susquehanna Bank Center.”
“We are excited to be able to work with venues like PNC Bank Arts Center and Susquehanna Bank Center on this great program to introduce thrill-seeking music fans in New Jersey to BetfairCasino.com with a unique and engaging experience both online and onsite,” said Don Ryan, SVP of Gaming at Betfair US and GM of BetfairCasino.com. “The rush of seeing your favorite artist or band live is something we find very synergistic to the rush of playing your favorite casino games online – anytime and anywhere in New Jersey.”
Thanks to the partnership new players at BetfairCasino.com will earn Live Nation® Concert Cash® or Ticketmaster Ticket Cash™ upon making their first-deposit to an eligible account.
All players at the site (new and old) are eligible to win Live Nation® Concert Cash® or Ticketmaster Ticket Cash™ redeemable for tickets to Live Nation concerts this concert season at PNC Arts Center in Holmdel, Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, and several venues in Asbury Park.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to engage with New Jersey’s online gaming consumers through this marketing sponsorship with BetfairCasino.com,” said Andy Peikon, SVP of Venue Sales, Live Nation. “We know these are people who like to have fun, and the Live Nation Concert Cash and Ticketmaster Ticket Cash promotions are a great way to get folks out to fantastic concerts at amazing music venues in the Garden State.”
You can find out more about this new partnership by visiting BetfairCasino.com.
Online gaming revenue continues to slide in May
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement released their monthly revenue reports for May and for the second straight month the New Jersey iGaming industry took a pretty substantial hit, with revenue dropping over 12% (15% if you factor in the extra day in May).
Here are the raw numbers from May:
- Borgata: $4 million ($1.2 million from poker)
- Caesars: $2.8 million ($1 million from poker)
- Tropicana: $1.9 million
- Golden Nugget: $680k
- Trump Plaza: $680k
- Trump Taj Mahal: $500k ($40k from poker)
We thought you should know…
The curious case of Lee Childs and Lynne Mitchnick
Ever wonder what happens when a staking deal goes south?
In the old days the aggrieved party would either have to suck it up and deal with it or call in a few favors from oversized men who aren’t afraid of a little blood. But today’s poker world is a bit different, as we discovered when a backer ended her staking agreement with her horse (citing breach of contract) and then promptly sued for the makeup owed.
Believe it or not the case went to trial where Lee Childs prevailed over his former backer Lynne Mitchnick after the jury found that the breaches of contract were inconsequential.
You can find more on this case at NJPokerOnline.net.
