More On Cereus Poker Network

Written On  5/6/11 By Recentpoker.com staff writer  Lenny Wasman :

Unhappy news for Madeira Fjord shareholders
 
Mike Brunker, a knowledgeable and respected MSNBC writer on internet gambling, has revealed more details on the apparently parlous business viability of Blanca Games Inc., the owner of the Cereus Network comprising Absolute Poker.com and UBPoker.com.
 
Black Friday's shutdown by the US Department of Justice  has plunged the company into a financial crisis, it appears from Brunker’s report.
 
The MSNBC writer confirmed persistent industry rumours that Blanca Games and shareholder associate Madeira Fjord may be in financial straits when he revealed that the company had emailed shareholders outlining bankruptcy plans and painting a dismal picture of the corporate finances.
 
According to the Norwegian-registered Madeira Fjord, Blanca Gaming will file for bankruptcy protection in that country. It is claimed that the company admitted it had “no cash on hand and no prospects for any cash flow for the foreseeable future.
 
“Most importantly, Blanca Gaming has provided notice … that it is currently unable to make any payments toward its debt obligations. Additionally, Blanca has further advised that there will be no future payments.”
 
Brunker also reveals that some 95 percent of Blanca staff in Costa Rica – over 300 local employees – were being laid off.
 
On April 15, Absolute Poker founders Scott Tom and Brent Beckley were named in the federal indictment by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, alleging UIGEA and banking offences.
 
Blanca Gaming had not, when InfoPowa went to press, responded to the MSNBC report, but the picture for players holding positive account balances in Cereus sites has to be regarded as gloomy.