Questions surround motive of DOJ visit to Absolute Poker offices.
The RCMP's visit to the Vancouver marketing office of Absolute Poker came to the broader gaming industry's attention via Youtube. There, as part of Perspective's Weekly, a regular video production of the Association of Players, Casinos, and Web-masters, viewers can watch an interview with Gian Perroni, former Vice President of operations for Absolute Poker. During the interview, Perroni talks about how "A couple of weeks ago the RCMP and (US) Department of Justice came into an independent marketing office and asked questions about the operation". Mr Perroni is sure to underline the fact that the company visited by these authorities is separate from Absolute Poker on more than one occasion during the chat with Jay Todd of the APCW. Perroni went on to say that the company "provides marketing services to Absolute Poker and many other companies." Both comment on the incident and express shock the fact that something like this could take place in Canada.
Vancouver is home to several high profile Online Gaming related companies. Absolute Poker is one, Riptown.com, the marketing arm of Bodog is another. In fact in Burnaby, a city just a 15 minutes in driving time from Vancouver, another company runs a customer call centre for Bodog customers. The company is know as Triple Crown Customer Services and is thought to employ over 100 people in their 24/7 call centre. In fact there is over 20 Online Gambling related companies that have offices each employing between 2 and 200 people in Vancouver or close vacinity. So why did the RCMP and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) come knocking at the door of the company that provides marketing services to Absolute Poker? To some Online Gambling insiders there is only speculation, to others it just does not make sense. After all, Bodog CEO Calvin Ayre, featured in a Forbes magazine article was described as having "dodged and taunted those enemies, the main one being the U.S. Department of Justice". So why did the RCMP and DOJ not make a real statement and visit Riptown or Triple crown? The title of the Forbes article is "Catch Me If You Can" and can be found here: http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2006/0327/112.html
Whatever the reason the RCMP and DOJ acted the way they did, the message has been sent to that particular Absolute Poker marketing provider. A source close to Absolute Poker said that employees are working remotely as the office is effectively closed. The source went on to say that "(vital employees) have been given 3 months to relocate to Costa Rica or find another job." The incident has also put those 20 plus Online Gambling related companies in the Vancouver area on notice. Until more facts surrounding the Absolute Poker RCMP raid come to light, many employees in those offices will wonder who may be visited next.
posted by Ian of egamingpulse
Questions surround motive of DOJ visit to Absolute Poker offices.
