Ongame Network to Shut Shop on October 15th
September 28, 2016 11:59 amAt one time, the Ongame poker network was considered a giant of the online poker world, but its status was badly affected by the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), and the company’s decision to exit the US market in 2006. A number of different companies who subsequently took ownership of Ongame were unable to restore the business to its halcyon days, and the network is now scheduled to shut shop on October 15th.
While some of the skins which operate on the Ongame network are expected to migrate to other networks, still more are likely to shut for good, according to poker news site, PRO. As far as the players are concerned, however, not many are expected to be affected by the closure, as the Ongame network is currently showing just 110 cash game players over a 7-day period.
Over the past five years, the online poker network has struggled to remain competitive and has changed hands may times without finding success. In 2011, Ongame was owned by Bwin, but after merging with PartyGaming the brand was passed over in favor of PartyPoker and deemed surplus to requirements. Ongame was subsequently sold to Amaya Gaming in 2012, who after acquiring PokerStars and Full Tilt in 2014 then sold it on to the NYX Gaming Group. The network enjoyed no more success there, though, and after weighing heavily on NYX’s earnings the company stated earlier this year that it was in the process of selling Ongame to a undisclosed buyer. As NYX Chief Corporate Development and Marketing Officer Thomas Huw commented at the time:
“A partner with proven experience in the industry will take on all costs, customer contracts and development for the poker product. NYX will retain both a significant share of the new business and exclusive rights to use the poker product across North America.”
That deal ultimately fell through, though, leading to the site’s imminent closure. As the above statement indicates, NYX still retains the rights to reboot the Ongame brand in North America at some time in the future, although given Ongame’s past track record that seems highly unlikely.