Operators, affiliate marketers or software suppliers wishing for a generic domain suffix that reflects their activity will soon have their ambitions met by the introduction of a new top level .poker domain name.
The domain name will be released in a three stage process, the first of which commences on February 5, when applications for .poker web addresses are opened and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Awards will be made to companies or individuals who hold trademarks through Trademark Clearinghouse.
On March 10 the second phase kicks in, where the general public is invited to request and register specific and as previously unallocated domain names followed by the .poker suffix. Where there is a clash over a particular name, the issue will be decided by auction.
Costs for a .poker domain have yet to be disclosed, but will ultimately be dictated by market demand.
The process is being handled by international registry services provider Afilias, the second largest domain registry in the world.
Afilias exec Roland LaPlante said in a statement explaining the introduction of the new domain name:
“Poker is one of the most popular games on the Internet today, and now there is a dedicated space on the Internet for all aspects of the title. The dot poker domain is an easy-to-remember web extension that will resonate with poker fans, gaming entities, tournament organizers, product manufacturers, news sources, and just about anyone involved in the game of poker.”