Ongame has launched real-money poker websites in Poland and Russia, making it the first major operator to launch websites in the native languages in these territories.
The Russian version of Europoker.com will be accompanied by a multi-million dollar marketing campaign centred on Moscow, which will include TV and radio advertising, which will run until the end of this year. After that point, however, new restrictions on advertising egaming products will come into force.
Ongame cites figures that suggest the popularity of gambling in Russia is booming with the number of land-based casinos rising from 30 to 58 in the past three years.
Jakob Soderbaum, vice-president and director of new markets at Ongame, said: “Online gambling in Russia is still very much in its infancy, but with internet penetration growing and interest in gambling on the increase, the signs are that Russia will become an important market for the industry.
“As there is no market leader and only a short period before advertising restrictions take effect, the next six weeks will prove critical to the long-term look of the Russian market.”
Meanwhile, Ongame has also relaunched its programme for affiliate poker sites, PokerAffiliate.com. Previously, affiliates could only refer players to Ongame’s main site, PokerRoom.com, but now they can also refer customers to HoldemPoker.com, eCardroom.com and EuroPoker.com.
Ongame’s affiliates have the potential to earn up to US$150 fixed fee per player or 40% in revenue share.
source : egr magazine
