PokerWorks

After many months of discussion in the poker world and implementation on the part of Tokwiro Enterprises, the CEREUS poker network has launched to combine the UltimateBet and Absolute Poker websites. There is not much doubt that it will be a secure platform with enough heightened security so as not to allow any forms of cheating to take place, but whether it will do anything to repair the tattered images of the two poker sites involved remains to be seen.

On Tuesday, November 25, 2008, the CEREUS poker network took effect with UltimateBet   and Absolute Poker having completed their transfer to the new platform. Tokwiro Enterprises owns both online poker sites and began implementing the new platform as a result of its attempts to upgrade security on the two sites as a result of each being the source of cheating scandals. The result was the formation of one network - CEREUS - that would combine all of the new security and safety measures being taken by Tokwiro into one software network.

Tokwiro’s Chief Operations Officer, Paul Leggett, noted, “With the proud launch of the unified network CEREUS, our company is well placed to provide significantly better value and superior service to customers of both brands. We are dedicated to providing the ultimate online experience, and with CEREUS we offer real value for every dollar our players put on the tables, and our unwavering commitment to security and fair play as the foundation of the new network.”

The joining of the two sites on one network claims to offer more than just upgraded security to prevent further online cheating scandals from plaguing the sites; there will be bigger tournaments and an expanded player base as well. Players from both sites can play together in the same tournaments and cash games, which will in turn create higher bad beat jackpots, bigger tournament guarantees, and more significant promotions. The platform also boasts of new table views, downloadable table skins, the ability to create private tournaments, final table deal making, rabbit cam capabilities, time banks, and more tools to personalize each player’s experience. In addition, the aforementioned security features “leading technology and a 24/7 Security Center to deliver a watertight gaming experience.”

Despite the scandals on Absolute Poker and UltimateBet, both owned and operated by Tokwiro Enterprises, some players have continued to play on the poker sites, either because they were unaware of the scandals or because they believed that the problems had been rectified and security had been enhanced. But many other players pulled their funds from the sites many months ago and have yet to have found the confidence to make the return. Therein lies the problem for the CEREUS network. Can they win back the trust of the poker community?

Time will tell. Though CEREUS boasts that by combining Absolute Poker and UltimateBet, the platform immediately became the third largest poker platform in the market, but that claim circumnavigates the fact that the individual sites took a significant hit to membership over the course of the past year or so as the scandals were slowly and painstakingly resolved. The launch of the new platform may bring some players back to the fold with the promise of upgraded security and the company’s hope of preventing anything similar from happening again, but others remain skeptical and will stay away from CEREUS on the basis of principle alone.

It will take many months before the true numbers are reported and translated into dollars and cents. Until that time, CEREUS and Tokwiro have a public relations job on their hands like no other in the poker business.