Former Microgaming Director Alex Discusses Future of Poker Networks

Alex, the former director of Microgaming, recently discussed the future of poker networks, highlighting that while the network model is not dead, it faces significant challenges. Many large gaming companies are not interested in online poker due to past failures and the perception of a declining market. Alex mentioned that the pandemic has changed the attitude towards poker, encouraging businesses to consider diversification.

Alex noted that Flutter Entertainment owns multiple poker platforms, including PokerStars, BetFair, and Paddy Power. He explained that regulated markets slow down the development of poker networks due to the complexity of the B2B model. Alex praised the loyalty program of PokerStars for recreational players and noted the unique Splash the Pot system at Run It Once.

Alex predicted that individual rewards in loyalty programs will become more prevalent due to their effectiveness in changing player behavior. He highlighted that these rewards are more efficient than general promotions, as they target specific behaviors and encourage players to engage more with the game.