Microgaming And 888 In French Online Poker JV - 05-11-10

May 11 -  Online gaming software giant Microgaming and gambling operator 888 Holdings plc will deliver a joint French online poker network which should see both companies benefits from shared liquidity.

Details are yet to be confirmed but from initial reports Microgaming’s role will be mainly in the provision of software, with 888 Holdings plc bringing  technological and marketing to the initiative. The aim would be to quickly establish themselves as the leading Poker offering in the French Market.

Gigi Levy, CEO, 888 Holdings plc said: "This deal marks a turning point in the industry with big networks collaborating in newly regulated markets to create a shared pool of liquidity, benefiting customers and assisting in rapidly generating large poker networks in each market."

"Once we have obtained the required licence and the French market is operational, this represents a strategic opportunity for us. It provides us with the ideal platform to secure a meaningful market share in France which is set to become one of the key poker markets in Europe. This is an important step in the development of the industry, and marks the start of European regulated companies collaborating in the poker field to increase their competitiveness."

Roger Raatgever, CEO, Microgaming said: "We are delighted to be working with 888 to deliver a poker solution to the French market. We look forward to combining our wealth of experience and knowledge to bring the highest global standards to the local market."

Microgaming powers poker rooms like Poker Time and Ladbrokes Poker.