Poker in the News

In a recent interview, Vikrant Bhargava, marketing director at iGlobalMedia-- the parent company of Party Poker, has hinted at plans to launch a massive spending spree in 2005.

Unfortunately, he didn't hint at any plans to improve Party Poker's customer service (Party Poker may be the best place to play online poker-- mainly because it's the place a player can make the most money--- but they are notorious for their poor and incompetent support staff).

Here are some bits from the eGaming Review interview:

Party Poker has had a hugely successful 2004 with annual profits expected to reach US$500m, but Bhargava said the firm is not satisfied with its market share.

"We have 60% of the industry, but we could be 95% of the industry," Bhargava said.

"With an influx of capital you can go out and acquire everyone else.

"It could be in this industry, or it could be people in other related businesses, but I see that as definitely a possibility," he added.

Bhargava also said Party Poker will be looking at stepping up its presence on Television throughout Europe, after trialling TV shows in the region.

"We have been sponsoring a few TV shows, and if it does well we will take it up from one to 10; and if 10 works well we will take it up to 100," he said.

The full interview can be read in the next issue of eGaming Review, which will be published early next week.

eGaming Review