In a joint press release, Betfair Poker and the Ongame Network announce that Betfair will be joining Ongame at the end of July.

This is a press release from Betfair Poker and Ongame Network:

12 July 2010 – Betfair and Ongame Network jointly announce that Betfair Poker is joining Ongame Network’s global online pokernetwork at the end of July 2010. This landmark agreement between Betfair and Ongame Network sees a significant player liquidity migration to Ongame Network from Betfair Poker’s standalone poker room.

By operating on Ongame Network’s P5 Poker Engine, Betfair Poker will offer its players an enhanced gaming environment, suitable for any poker wallet, with the liquidity to energize cash games and tournaments.

“This move is a conscious effort to place our poker players at the forefront of our product offering. Betfair Poker players will have access to more games, at all times of the day. Both companies are dedicated to the long term improvement to player experience. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Ongame Network.” said Daniel Svard, Head of Betfair Poker.

“Betfair is the ideal kind of long-term partner for Ongame Network: a respected gaming brand and technically mature,” said Martin Lerby, Head of Ongame Network. “In our competitive industry, we welcome the player liquidity and poker knowledge that Betfair brings to our network.”

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How will the change affect rakeback deals on Betfair?

According to a representative of Betfair Poker, if a player has registered his account by July 11, 2010, all rakeback deals will stay as they are even after the jump to Ongame.

In the latest data from Pokerscout.com, Ongame's 7-day player average was 1,900 players while Betfair had 620 players. Thanks to the Betfair players, Ongame will become the 5th largest online poker room close behind iPoker.