Gambling911.com has learned exclusively from a very reliable source that Lock Poker, one of the largest rooms on the Internet, will be taking over the Cake Poker Network.

Lock, which is widely believed to be one of the top three largest rooms on the Merge Network, will be leaving that network to take control of Cake.

It was explained that as part of the deal, Cake and its current marquee brand, Intertops Poker, are believed to be continuing to operate as separate rooms and there are no plans to integrate them.

According to Gambling911.com sources familiar with the deal, Lock will be re-branding the network, driving technology, marketing, player rewards, implementing a more aggressive tournament schedule and incorporating a new company philosophy, essentially restructuring the entire Cake Poker Network.

Our sources also advise that the popular rakeback program previously offered by Lock Poker will be returning with an even higher percentage rate, though few other specifics were given.

Our source also advised that the Lock Pros will remain a pivotal feature of the network with others likely to come on board during the summer. Lock Poker recently signed on the first ever World Series of Poker Europe Main Event winner, Annette Obrestad.

It was not immediately known if or when the LockOPs Lock Poker Series will be reintroduced after abruptly being cancelled by the Merge Gaming Network late last month, though our source indicates this Series could be re-introduced over the coming months.

Series 2012 qualifiers and the Turbo Gold cards currently offered on Cake are expected to continue.

As Lock has their own stand-alone cashier, the move is expected to have no impact on players.

- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher