Merge Poker Network Drops PIC

October 27- The online poker industry is watching with interest as two groups battle it over through the exchange of public statements and emails over the termination of a deal.

PIC - Players Investment Company - acted as a payment processor for the Merge Poker Network in the United States.

The relationship between the two came to an end and a statement was issued to that effect.

However, last week, the Chief Executive of PIC managed to irk management at Merge Poker after sending an email to players announcing that several of the network's skins were considering entering into a direct agreement with his company.

Chuck Kidd also stated in his email that the decision to end the contract was mutually agreed on.

The Chief Executive of Merge Poker Network decided that he needed to end the speculation that the decision was indeed a mutual one and despatched his own statement saying: "It has been brought to my attention, via comments in a public forum, that there is some confusion regarding a relationship we have with a payments provider."

Anthony Taylor went on to say: "To be clear, it was Merge Gaming who served notice on our agreement with PIC Club."

Taylor would not go so far as to spell out why the business relationship came to an end, only saying: "The reasoning behind this is a matter of private record. Merge Gaming attempted to resolve the issue brought on by PIC Club, one of its principals, and one of its members, and without resolution, felt it was in the best interest of our customers to end this relationship immediately."

Taylor concluded that the agreement was cancelled to protect the group's players, network partners and reputation.