05 Jan 12

Daily Rewind: Duthie Leaves EPT, Macau Revenues Booming, France to Block ISPs

Today on the daily rewind, John Duthie resigns as the CEO of the European Poker Tour. We bring you more on Sam Trickett's biggest ever bluff, and casino revenues are soaring in Macau.

John Duthie resigns as EPT CEO

Duthie resigns from the EPT

For the second time in a week, PokerStars has had to say cheerio to John Duthie. Earlier this week it was announced he was no longer a sponsored pro at the site, and yesterday it was announced on TwoPlusTwo that he was resigning as CEO of the European Poker Tour.

Duthie founded the EPT in 2004 and helped turn it, and PokerStars, into one of the most dominant brands on the world poker stage. He commented on his resignation:

"It is time to move on and to leave the EPT in the capable hands of the existing management team. It has been a fascinating and challenging seven years and I have watched the EPT grow phenomenally in that time, thanks to the support of the players and the professionalism of a great team on the ground."

"There are going to be some amazing opportunities coming up in 2012 and 2013 as the U.S. market prepares to open up for business once again and I want to be available to take on new challenges and to cement new relationships moving forward."

"PokerStars have been an interesting partner from the outset and have always proved challenging and dynamic. Currently, they are the largest online poker site in the world and their dominance of the European market is in many ways thanks to the success of the European Poker Tour and the resultant massive exposure on European TV channels."

Award winning tournament director Edgar Stuchly of Austria will take over from Duthie as the CEO of the European Poker Tour.

France wants to block ISPs without ARJEL license

Pokerfuse has reported that a decree has been published in France, stating that French internet service providers must block online gambling sites without an Autorité de Régulation Des Jeux en Ligne (ARJEL) license.

The ISPs muct filter access to certain domains to stop French residents from accessing unlicensed sites. The government will reimburse the providers for any additional costs incurred.

There have not been any clear responses yet from the French ISPs as to whether they will agree to the request.

Revenues booming in Macau

We hear a lot about the action booming in Macau since the high stakes cash games migrated over there from Vegas, and it seems the boom is not just at the poker tables.

Bloomberg has reported massive growth in 2011 for the casinos in Macau. They raked in 268 billion patacas ($33.5 billion) in gross gaming revenue, which is a 42% increase over 2010.

Casino revenue also rose 25% last month to 23.5 billion patacas ($3 billion).

42% increase in Macau casino revenues

High stakes corner

Speaking of Macau, we mentioned earlier this week a particularly sick hand where Sam Trickett mentioned an $8 million HKD bluff on the river. Thanks to Sam and the PokerFarm, we can now see how the hand played out:

The Daily Signoff

We are changing things up today with a new feature, the Daily Signoff. It will end the daily rewind on a more light hearted note. We will have classic videos, sick hands, funny pictures, and yes, the occasional hot girl.

Today, in tribute to his great service to the European Poker Tour, we remind you all about when John Duthie won the Poker Million in 2000 (It is remarkable how far televised poker has come in just over 11 years).