With the ongoing merger of bwin and Party Gaming comes discussions between the two of what exactly to do with their poker networks. Most people simply expected the two networks to be combined using one of the company's software and platform, but according to eGaming Review, EGR, it is looking more likely that bwin's Ongame Network will be jettisoned.

According to a spokesperson inside bwin quoted in a EGR article last week, the Ongame Network is considered a surplus asset that is no longer needed, he said. Ongame may therefore be sold to a potential buyer or other kinds of partnerships are also thinkable solutions. Though, no deadlines has yet been made for this.

Bwin purchased the Ongame Network back in 2005 for £474 million. PokerRoom was shutdown in 2009 after ten years of operation and its players were all transferred to bwin.

It is at this time not clear what kind of effect the sale of the Ongame Network will have neither what it means. What it seems to mean is that bwin players will be moved to a new combined PartyGaming/bwin network.

Party Gaming and bwin first announced their intentions to merge last July. At the end of January, shareholders of both companies voted to approve the merger, which will create to largest online gaming company in the world. bwin shareholders will own 51.6% of the company, which will be named bwin.Party Digital Entertainment plc.

While it will continue as one company, Party Gaming and bwin will still retain their current brands and keep each others headquarters in same places. The two CEO's of each company would become Co-Chief Executives.