Empire Online is undoubtedly taking a large hit after Party Gaming announced it would not let Empire Poker players gamble at Party Pokers planned release of a new poker table software platform later this year.  After first hearing of the news, Empire reported that it would lose 10% of its net profit and rake revenue if this were to happen, which was quickly followed by a 5% drop in the company's stock.

However, only one week after Party Gaming made this decision, Empire Poker has lost nearly $500 million in its value and has witnessed its stock drop nearly 50% on the AIM market of the the London Stock Exchange.

It seems the blow will be greater than Empire imagined, even though Party Poker's claim that online gambling was beginning to see a drop in players, was thought to be a bit premature.  Empire was Party Poker's best affiliate, driving thousands of players to the online poker room every day.   Now,  it is clear that Party Poker was worried they would not be able to keep up with Empire's commission if a lull in players was to drop too low.

Despite this turn or events, the online gambling industry as a whole is till going strong.  SportingBet, who looks as if they could be taking over Empire, posted a massive profit increase of nearly 400%.  Their net profits neared £40 million, which was an all-time high for SportingBet, and a definite clue as to why Party Poker was worried it was losing online players.

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