Island-based Microgaming says no job losses should result from closing its Poker Network next year.

It said the decision to close the network followed an extensive internal review of the software supplier’s product portfolio and strategy.

Chief executive officer John Coleman said the Microgaming Poker Network, which has been operating for 16 years, ’no longer fits with our strategic vision for poker’.

It represents a ’relatively small’ part of the company’s operations in the Isle of Man, a spokesman said. He said: ’Currently up to three positions are being evaluated with a possibility of being absorbed into other areas of the business.

’In operational centres off-island, this will result in more significant movements among various technical teams, but again the aim here is to reassign expertise to new roles/departments.

’We will announce more details on the future of poker at Microgaming in the coming months.’

In the run-up to the network closure, access to online tournaments, promotions and cash games will remain available to players.