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The Balance Of Power - The 10 Most Influential Organisations In The Online Gaming Sector
By everest-poker.mysportsbookonline.info

With only a small handful of organisations having been in existence for 10 years or more, the online gaming sector is in its infancy in terms of its industry life cycle. Yet, despite this short time scale, the industry has created some real giants. Until as recently as 2006, the online gaming sector provided two publicly listed FTSE 100 companies. Post UIGEA, the competitive landscape within the industry appears to be settling. Barriers to entry are now considerably higher than they were a few years ago, with new entrants facing an extremely competitive environment in existing markets. The power base within the sector appears settled, but who comes out on top?

1. 888.com

Having built a solid foundation with their online casino product, the 888 Group have consolidated their position as the world's most influential gaming organisation. Under the guidance of their CEO, Gigi Levy the group has continued to expand aggressively, primarily through a number of strategic partnerships as well as through some excellent acquisitions. 888's 2007 annual accounts show real money players up 31% on 2006's figures to 4.7 million, and growth throughout 2008 is indicated to be along similar lines. Leading the pack by some way, the 888 Group are going to take some catching over the coming years.

2. Betfair

A progressive organisation that has revolutionised the way punters can place bets, the Betfair concept of betting has already been rolled out from the UK to Australia. Awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise, in the Innovation category in 2003, and again in 2008, Betfair is well placed to expand into new geographical markets.

3. BWin

BWin (formally Bet and Win) represent mainland Europe's most successful online gaming company. With daily bet volumes totalling 8000 bets across 80 sports, and offering support for 20 different languages, BWin have mass market presence other online gaming companies can only dream of.

4. Cryptologic

The Canadian based software supplier is one of the oldest companies in the online gaming sector. Their software platforms are behind some of the worlds leading entertainment brands, including InterCasino and William Hill. Listed on NASDAQ, the organisation is regarded by many industry insiders as the premium software suppler of online games.

5. Playtech

Playtech specialise in providing software platforms for the online gaming sector. They have a total of 550 staff located around the globe, 80% of which are based in research and development of new gaming technologies. The company listed on the UK's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 2006, and their excellent financial performance since the public listing has surprised many industry analysts.

6. Pokerstars
Licensed and based on the Isle of Man, Poker Stars is now

the world's leading online poker room. Recently they have experienced enormous growth due to the fact that their main competitors have been unable and unwilling to accept US based players, whilst Poker Stars have ignored the US government and have continued to allow US players to play at their site. Pokerstars have stuck solely to their poker product in the belief that success lies in remaining loyal to their core operations. Privately owned, it is likely that the company will float once the legality of online gaming in the US is clarified. Huge potential for future growth exists should the attempt to cross sell into other gaming products outside of poker.

7. Microgaming

Another Isle of Man based company that has seen tremendous growth in the last couple of years on the back of their casino and poker software platforms. If this growth continues, Microgaming has the potential to become the world's premier provider of online gaming software.

8. Partygaming

Mismanaged and misunderstood. The online poker giant is listed on the London FTSE, and with revenue of $458m and EBITDA of $112m in 2007 one would expect them to be higher up the industry rankings. However, a recent attempt to diversify from poker into other online gaming products has taken its toll on the organisation. This strategy is the correct approach for the company in the long term, yet the short term outlook remains somewhat static compared to its competitors.

9. Everest Poker

Based out of Quebec, Everest Poker has quietly climbed the industry ladder on the back of focussing solely on new and emerging markets outside of the US and the UK. Largely unaffected by the passing of the UIGEA, Everest appear well managed and well positioned in a number of strategic growth markets. Their credentials have recently been enhanced by the sponsorship of the 2008 World Series of Poker.

10. PKR

A surprise pick by many, but PKR are an organisation that has shown that product differentiation and innovation goes a long way. The PKRPoker site has only been in existence since August 2006, but has recently surpassed Ladbrokes in terms of player numbers. PKR reflect the changing nature of online gaming as an entertainment sector rather than a purely betting industry. Expect them to go from strength to strength on the back of new innovative products.

About the author:

D Bernard is an analyst with a keen interest in the online gaming sector and is a regular contributor about PKRPoker. For further information on the UIGEA. He can be contacted at casinopokerbuddy@yahoo.co.uk

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