Online Poker Traffic Down 2 Percent This Week: Playtech Poker Revenue Down 20 Percent

Real cash online poker play activity over the past week was down 2 percent.  Among the top 10 sites, decliners outpaced advancers seven to three. 

The Merge Gaming Network witness a sharp decline of 10 percent after its Bad Beat Jackpot was won for over a million dollars. 

Meanwhile, Playtech announced its online poker revenue was down a whopping 20 percent in 2011.  The company announced yesterday it was in current discussions with US-based partners to offer legalized real cash Internet poker in the States once federal and/or state legislation is passed.

Fourth quarter poker revenue in 2011 fell six percent to €5.5million from €5.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Playtech also offers casino games, and that portion of the business helped the company realize an overall revenue increase of 46 percent, up 46 percent to €207.5 million from €142.3 million.

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com