The Daily Rewind: Full Tilt & Tapie Agreement, Bodog Rebrands, EPT Robber Jailed
Today we check out Bodog's new US branding and hear news that Groupe Bernard Tapie have reached an agreement with Full Tilt. There's a recap from Day 1b at WPT Venice and news that the mastermind behind the EPT Berlin robbery has been sentenced.
The Daily Rewind is your one-stop-shop for a sharp review of the day in poker. Join us here for a mix of the latest news and a more irreverent insight into the poker world. Today we discovered the following topics for you:
Full Tilt and Groupe Bernard Tapie reach agreement
Full Tilt Poker and Groupe Bernard Tapie have made an agreement with the intent of continuing the transfer of FTP's assets to GBT. As previously reported, this was necessary in order for the US Department of Justice to voluntarily acquire Full Tilt Poker's assets and sell them to GBT.
FTP owners with shares representing a majority agreed to the decision. Any current owners wishing to maintain shares must do so with no managerial control or voting privileges.
The potential agreement will see the DoJ take responsibility for the approximately $150 million owed to US players while GBT are responsible for repayment of the rest of the world after purchasing Full Tilt's assets for $80 million.
Bodog rebrands in the US
Bodog players in the United States learnt this week that they will be migrated to Bodog's newly rebranded site, Bovada.lv.
Bodog's exclusive licensee for US customers, MMGG, faced a restriction back in July which stipulated they could not use the Bodog brand name from January 2012 onwards.
It's expected that the new site will continue to be licensed under the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
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| Bodog's new US branding |
Groupe Bernard Tapie apply for Spanish license
In what would be the most exciting Full Tilt development if not for the above news, Spanish site Poker Red today report that Groupe Bernard Tapie have applied for a Spanish gaming license ahead of impending regulation early next year in Spain.
The French investment firm have been quiet since announcing ongoing talks with the DOJ last month, but this can only be seen as a positive step.
A clause in the terms states that FTP will only be granted a Spanish license once all Spanish players are paid back in full. The window for Spanish license applications closes at the end of this week.
High stakes corner
December's insane action continued yesterday over at PokerStars, with no less than 7 players making more than $100,000 over the past 24 hours according to HSDB.
Top dogs yesterday were Ronny "1-ronnyr3" Kaiser who banked a staggering $303,703 and "1Il|1Il|1il|" who was the day's top earner after racking up an immense $394,090.
The player at the heart of all the action was new Chinese account "long90110", who will regret his decision to turn up at all yesterday, having lost a whopping $599,134 on the day.
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| Kaiser the chief |
WPT Venice
Day 1B of the WPT Venice saw a much improved turnout, with 135 players taking their seats at the start of play.
By the end of the day just 65 remained who will be joining the 29 survivors from day 1A in today's latest instalment.
Yesterday's chip leader was relative unknown Italian player Raffaele Bertolucci with 169,400 chips. He's in good company with the likes of Roberto Romanello (133,200), Arnaud Mattern (92.900) and Marvin Rettenmaier (77,000) all making it through.
You can follow all the latest action from day 2 over at the PartyPoker Blog.
Banged up in Berlin – Gang leader sentenced
Yesterday the Berlin district court found a 30 year old man guilty of organising and instructing the EPT Berlin robbery back in March 2010.
The man who remains unnamed was responsible for hiring his accomplices, driving the getaway car and taking control of financial settlements with his fellow crooks.
He has been convicted to six years and four months in jail for armed robbery and assault. The 2010 robbery took place during the final day's play at EPT Berlin and the thieves managed to get away with over €240,000.
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| CCTV from the EPT Berlin robbery |
WAG of the day
Today's WAG (wife and girlfriend) features the girlfriend of WSOP bracelet winner Oleksii Kovalchuk.
We spotted Darya Hulyk playing at the WPT Venice yesterday, although sadly she was eliminated half way through the day. Better luck next time Darya…
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| Heartbreak in Venice for Darya Hulyk |
