GTECH Manages Orderly Shutdown of Dot-com Poker Network GTECH Manages Orderly Shutdown of Dot-com Poker Network
mrceviz, SXC Standard Restrictions
Key Takeaways
  • As GTECH gets closer to closing its dot-com “International Poker Network” (IPN), it has closed its bad beat jackpot promotion.
  • The funds in the existing jackpot prize pool will be distributed via a series of freeroll tournaments.
  • The network will close in May and the shutdown is being handled in as orderly a manner as possible.

As GTECH gets closer to closing its dot-com International Poker Network (IPN), commonly known as Boss Media, it has ended its bad beat jackpot promotion. The funds in the existing jackpot prize pool will be distributed via a series of freeroll tournaments.

Between April 2 and April 30, there will be five freerolls—four with €25k in prize money, and one, the first event, with €45k—in order to pay out the €145k available.

To ensure the money goes to players on the network, each event will be limited to a maximum of 5,000 players, all of whom must have played at least one raked hand in the previous 365 days.

As pokerfuse PRO exclusively revealed last December, the network will close in May and the shutdown is being handled in as orderly a manner as possible. GTECH is not going out of business, but shifting its attention to its B2B business and to its presence in regulated markets.

The company provides the software for Svenska Spel and the Canadian Poker Network, for PokerClub Italia and the Spain Poker Network. It has also been contracted to produce a new online gaming platform for OPAP in Greece.

Existing skins on the dot-com network have begun to operate alternative skins on other networks to ease the transition following the IPN sutdown. Of the larger skins, Poker Heaven will offer options on Ongame and MPN, Redbet and Paradise Poker will transit to the Ongame network.

Full details of how the transfer of VIP points and other incentives will be managed are likely to be left to individual rooms on the network to communicate with players.

IPN is expected to be closed, and all transitions completed, by the end of May.