PRWeb bites the hand that feeds them!

Shocking news has reached Poker Hideout that a major company press release distributor will no longer accept any press releases from poker or online gambling websites. PRWeb has decided to make the shock decision in light of recent search engines amending their editorial policy including Google and Yahoo, who are now refusing to promote online gambling sites.

Some of the major names in online poker have received ‘cease and desist’ letters informing them of the change in PrWeb’s press release content rules. PRWeb charge in the region of $80 to $360 for press releases and have regularly received press releases from big poker names such as Ladbrokes Poker, Carbon Poker and Titan Poker. The new editorial policy is thought to affect all gambling sites and related gaming sites whether in the U.S. or abroad.

Ultimate Bet have challenged the legitimacy of holding their company’s press releases, as they feel that as poker is more a game of skill that it should in fact be exempt from PRWeb’s tougher stance on gaming advertising and gambling editorial content. Ultimate Bet sent through to the management of PR Web a strongly worded letter where they expressed their disappointment at the new rules and requested that they reconsider their decision. There has been no response from the PRWeb team.

It would appear the PRWeb are running scared after a recent challenge to the 2006 Class C criminal category of online poker by the Poker Players Alliance, the Court of Appeals in Washington however upheld the existing law which carries a five year jail term, $10,000 fine and seizure of property and possessions on conviction.

Considering how big the gaming industry is and how dire the majority of other industries are faring it remains to be seen whether this is a very sensible corporate decision by PRWeb! Not many organisations can afford to turn good business away in the current global financial crisis; PRWeb may well have cut their nose of to spite their face.