Microgaming Poker Network Takes a Democratic Approach

Operators' representatives to make their own decisions An announcement arrived this week from the Microgaming Poker Network, announcing the formation of a new Network Management Board (NMB) which will be in charge of the control of the development and operational running of the network, now classified as a Sportsbook Poker Network. Sportsbook Poker Network is a Microgaming project whose concept is that all members should contribute towards each other's success and the network's as well. Those who will take part in the new control board are one representative from each of the primary operators on the Microgaming Poker Network, a representative from the company's network games team, and a chairman sourced from within the industry. The chairman and consulting industry experts will not have the right to vote. The network will take a rather democratic approach, so all crucial decisions will be made by operators and the software company together, with “proportional shares determined by a formula agreed by the voting members of the NMB.” It has been specified that the NMB will be in charge of the construction of the development roadmap, the setting of network-wide policies for marketing and rakeback, including penalties for breaches, and the planning of network-wide promotions. According to Microgaming's head of Network Games, Lydia Melton, “Poker is a difficult industry in which to operate, and that difficulty is heightened when operators are not in control of their own destinies. "By establishing the Network Management Board, we are essentially ceding control of the Microgaming Poker Network to the primary operators on the Network. "Microgaming is a technology company with over 15 years of experience in this industry, and we will continue to develop and progress our poker software, as guided by the NMB, with no reduction in resources or drive." The NMB will meet for the first time in early November this year.