January 13, 2010 (CAP PR Wire) — Microgaming, the world’s largest provider of online gaming software, today announces its intent to bring datamining on its Poker Network to a halt. With immediate effect, hand histories on observed tables will no longer be stored on players’ computers and the practice of downloading and storing hand histories in bulk will be stopped.
Third party software, which analyzes hand histories collected by datamining, has over time changed from a useful tool for plugging leaks in a player’s game to more of an exploitative tool. By using third party software, a player can more efficiently isolate another player’s weaknesses; thus giving the player with the most information on his opponents a greater edge.
Andrew Clucas, Head of Poker at Microgaming Software Systems, the power behind the Microgaming Poker Network, commented: “Concern has been rising over the long-term effect of third party software upon the poker industry as a whole, and in particular the negative effect it has on the recreational player demographic. The decision to put a stop to the practice of datamining on the Poker Network is part of Microgaming’s overarching network strategy to support operators in attracting and retaining recreational players. It further demonstrates commitment in providing a secure and fair playing environment.
“I would like to emphasize that with this change, as with the change to Weighted Contribution, Microgaming is not seeking to alienate its winning players. There has been a move in the industry towards penalising winners; we believe that is the wrong approach. There will always be winners and losers in poker. What we are trying to achieve is a more level playing field for all the players.”
Earlier this month, Microgaming changed its rake allocation method from Average Contribution to Weighted Contribution, a move designed to incentivise Microgaming licensees to attract greater numbers of recreational players.
Visit Microgaming at the International Gaming Expo (IGE), 26th – 28th January 2010 on stand 5240.
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About Microgaming (www.microgaming.com)
Since the company developed the first true online Casino software over a decade ago, it has led the industry in providing innovative, reliable gaming solutions. Thanks to an unrivalled R&D programme, that averages 60 games per year and a unique ‘partnership’ approach to working with operators; Microgaming software powers over 160 market-leading online gaming sites.
The company’s front and back-end software supports multi-player, multi-language games – over 400 of them, all uniquely branded and provides platforms for land-based and wireless gaming. Microgaming powers the world’s largest Progressive Jackpot Network and has paid out over €250million. In May 2009 it created the biggest ever online jackpot winner with a single payment win of €6.37m.
As a founding member of eCOGRA, Microgaming is at the forefront of an initiative focused on setting the highest standards in the gaming industry, and leads in the areas of fair gaming, responsible operator conduct and player protection. Microgaming has been awarded eCOGRA’s Certified Software Seal following a rigorous onsite assessment to ensure that the development, implementation and maintenance of the software is representative of industry best practice standards Microgaming licensees are therefore eligible to apply for the eCOGRA Safe & Fair Seal.