Tribeca Tables, under the new leadership of Erik Ahlberg and in consultation with its legal counsel has decided to withdraw it’s poker room from certain territories; specifically the USA, Israel, and Hong Kong markets.
Tribeca will endeavour to assist it’s US facing clients in particular with the transition as much as possible, a company spokesman said. However in light of the recent introduction in the US regarding the “Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006” and in line with most other responsible networks and poker operators, the company will focus on more non US territories and new markets.
Erik Ahlberg, the recently appointed President of Tribeca Tables and an ex-Tain executive said, “We are now initiating this policy and will work closely with our customers to ensure as little harm as possible to their overall business”.
Steve Cook, European managing director added, “The board have taken a considerable amount of time to weigh up all of the options and sought a great deal of legal and market advice. Sadly we have no alternative. We have concluded that it is the best way forward for the company”.
The impact of the withdrawal is likely to be considerable, but Tribeca’s portfolio of brands still includes many European facing brands such as Sporting Index, Paddy Power, Blue Sq, Victor Chandler, and with the recent merger with Tain, the addition of Expekt.com and its other skins.
Spokesmen said the company also intends to make a further announcement regarding its poker network in due course.
Two of Tribeca’s US facing sites are especially important sites in terms of business: Doyle’s Room and Golden Palace are major online poker venues. Shortly after the Tribeca decision was announced, a source with connections to Doyle’s Room assured portal Gambling911 that the company would continue to serve US players, presumably with an alternative arrangement. There was speculation that the US facing operations at Tribeca could see a transfer of ownership in the near future.
“Tribeca is giving its US facing clients 6 months to find another poker network,” the source told Gambling911.com last Friday. “There are several options on the table.”