All-in-one online gambling site and sportsbook, Sportingbet, has announced they are calling it quits with Paradise Poker, which is owned by Sportingbet Plc. On the surface alone, the news of a Paradise Poker shutdown could very well signify yet another repercussion of the U.S. crackdown against online casino gaming sites. However, this just appears to be another side note, as online gambling continues strong throughout the World Wide Web.

Sportingbet, which offers sports betting, backgammon, mobile phone betting services, online casino games, and online poker, says they will be migrating Paradise Poker players to the poker platform connected to their main site. While management does concede part of their decision to do so was motivated by changing U.S. affairs, they say the migration is more of a strategic plan that will help to cut on costs while continuing to strengthen Sportingbet's European facing online poker operations.

Rake amounts on the Sportingbet poker platform, which is powered by Swedish online casino and poker software developer, Boss Media, were up over 72% from 2005. Paradise Poker's totals paled in comparison, with only a 9% rise in European business. Understandably, Paradise Poker was getting much of their business from U.S. players. When Sportingbet acquired them in October, 2005 for nearly $300 million, they were widely considered to be the third largest online poker room in business. Still trudging along, Paradise Poker and Sportingbet manage to keep thousands of players logged on every day and betting real money stakes.

With a migration to the Boss software platform, Sportingbet will likely result in a small loss of revenue. However, when all is said and done, the Boss online poker network will be one of the most sizeable in all of Europe. Sportingbet has signed a three year software licensing extension with Boss, and will keep the rights to the Paradise Poker name.