Virgin launches a casino poker website

As reported by Yogonet.com

LONDON, United Kingdom - Virgin Poker, now part of the Boss Media poker network, has been launched in London. The site was initially soft launched in July 2004 but this latest launch sees almost every aspect of the website redesigned to provide additional features and a depth of content suitable for the current marketplace.

Virgin Games plans to start aggressively marketing the site early in 2006, including some tournament opportunities such as "The Big Three", where the winner walks away with entry into the three biggest land-based poker tournaments on the planet. It will also focus on customer support and retention schemes. In the first six months of operation, Virgin Poker will be launching a market-leading loyalty program and a platform that nurtures the online poker community.

“Virgin Poker will use the resources of sister companies throughout the Virgin Group to add new value to our players" experience… we will be able to offer a loyalty scheme similar to that found at the Virgin Casino that allows players to earn Virgin Atlantic points whenever they play,” says CEO of Virgin Games, Simon Burridge.

Furthermore, the site will try to entice would-be players to their new service by tapping into the more entertaining aspects of poker than just the purely monetary allure of the game. Burridge adds, “Our message is clear; it’s not just about winning money, it’s about creating a fun, social environment where poker can be enjoyed".

Group aims to block sale of terminal to Senecas
As reported by The Buffalo News

BUFFALO, New York - A preservation group is threatening to block the sale of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad terminal to the Seneca Nation of Indians for conversion to a casino.

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo says it will seek a temporary restraining order blocking transfer of the property from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to the Senecas.

"We are opposed to the use of the terminal as a gambling casino," the group's executive director, Tim Tielman, said in a letter to acting NFTA Chairman Mary S. Martino. "The DL&W is an important historic landmark and is a part of the historic cultural landscape of the old canal district presently being reconstructed."

The Seneca Nation has named the former railroad facility at the foot of Main Street, now used by the NFTA to house and maintain its Metro Rail fleet, as its preferred casino site. The Senecas are in talks with the NFTA to acquire the building and develop a 100,000-square-foot gambling venue on the structure's second floor. The NFTA would continue to use the ground floor for its light rail operations.

Use of any portion of the building as a casino requires a full assessment of its environmental impact on the Cobblestone District and the historic Erie Canal terminus neighborhood, the Campaign for Greater Buffalo said.

If the property is sold to the Senecas, it would become sovereign land and would not be subject to state and federal preservation guidelines.

NFTA Executive Director Lawrence M. Meckler said the preservation group is premature in attempting to block a sale, as no deal has been concluded.

"At this point, nothing has been finalized. We continue to have discussions," Meckler said.

He also said the authority has given thought to how a combination casino/rail building would fit into the neighborhood.

Built in 1917, the rail building was originally part of a complex that included a public ticket hall. The structures were briefly granted city landmark status, but they were taken off the list due to their deterioration.

The NFTA bought the property from the city in October 1979 for $190,000, razing the dilapidated ticket hall and converting the remaining building for Metro Rail use.

"At this point, nothing has been finalized. We continue to have discussions," Meckler said.