The online poker industry has seen some tumulus times of late and it does not appear to be improving. This week again saw another drop in activity to the tune of 4.1%. This is not a good news story and adds to the news that has seen a number of online poker closed.

The Full Tilt fiasco certainly hasn’t helped the poker industry even though PokerStars has taken over the brans people are becoming more leery of online poker as trust is becoming an issue with respect to true fair play.

Online information site Pokerscout reported that the poker division of Bodog leaped to the top of those poker rooms who cater to the U.S market.  This included a 8% increase over the second place provider Revolution, which consists of Lock Poker.

Traffic for online poker is down by 10% over this time a year ago. That is a substantial amount and one that is having a effect on the online poker industry as they once saw incredible growth they now continue to see dwindling numbers. The future is not looking overly bright in the poker industry even though those damaged brands like Full Tilt have been taken over by the likes of PokerStars.

One must question what made this decision to be seen as a good one other than to appease the U.S justice department as PokerStars parent company Rational Entertainment is trying to purchase a land based casino in New Jersey. One can only wonder if the real reason behind the land based acquisition is to gain a position that will help them have input behind the scenes with those who make the decisions.

Microgaming has just announced that 188BET has joined its poker network and is now live. 188BET is a well-established online gaming site that includes a sportsbook and online casino. It now includes the Microgaming poker network to complement its gaming products for players to enjoy.

188BET has a standing relationship with Microgaming through its licensing of the software providers casino software. It operates using Microgamings QuickFire and has since mid-2011. 188Bet’s decision to select Microgaming for its poker software was a smart move that will strengthen the relationship as they go forward together.

The managing director for 188BET, Nigel Singer, states “Now we have opened the poker and joined the Microgaming poker network we will become a one stop destination for players. We are thrilled to enter this competitive market and believe we have the promotions and a skill needed to become a successful place for players to come and play the game of poker” Lydia Melton of Microgaming adds “Microgaming is ecstatic to have 188BET join our poker network. They are and continue to be one of Asia’s and Europe’s preferred gaming sites. Microgaming remains confident that with the addition of the poker software that 188BET will see a substantial increase in traffic that as they learn of the new additional”