Topic: Online Poker Shut Down in US (Read 3317 times)

16HD117 · « **on:** April 15, 2011, 08:58:53 PM »

Don't know if anyone else here plays poker on line for real money but if you do, your money is frozen!

Looks like the US department of justice has shut down the major on line poker sites.

Tried to enter a tournament today on Poker Stars and got this message "We are sorry, but due to government regulations, playing real money tournaments is not allowed in your area".

Tried to cash out my account. No luck. Account is frozen!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42613518/42613907

Jock · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2011, 09:02:41 PM »

Thanks for the heads up...going down the hallway to inform some others who play...

Chit!

2k · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2011, 07:45:16 AM »

Played for several years before I saw the report on TV bout all the fixin. Always knew it would be easy for a site admin to rig, but really loved to play. Looked back on how many big hands I had lost when only 1 card in the deck would beat me.........just sayin

cvobiker · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2011, 03:41:08 PM »

Quote from: 2ksoftail on April 16, 2011, 07:45:16 AM

Played for several years before I saw the report on TV bout all the fixin. Always knew it would be easy for a site admin to rig, but really loved to play. Looked back on how many big hands I had lost when only 1 card in the deck would beat me.........just sayin

A guy at work is hooked on Party Poker online. A couple weeks ago he was warning people to cash out because of rumors of the fed investigation. Apparently this was not a surprise and i suspect a lot of people got out before the feds froze the accounts. But now that the feds have control, i sure would hate to have my name on any of the data base files,, wonder what that impact will be

Chains · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2011, 09:36:33 AM »

Looks like a big money laundering deal, may never get your money

16HD117 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2011, 09:49:18 AM »

Quote from: cvobiker on April 16, 2011, 03:41:08 PM

A guy at work is hooked on Party Poker online. A couple weeks ago he was warning people to cash out because of rumors of the fed investigation. Apparently this was not a surprise and i suspect a lot of people got out before the feds froze the accounts. But now that the feds have control, i sure would hate to have my name on any of the data base files,, wonder what that impact will be

So far, nothing.

Cigarmike · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2011, 07:25:21 PM »

Long overdue, 3 major problems with the sites they shut down, They let underage players in U.S. play, they use a .Net website that advertises FREE poker and play money, yet want you to come over to real money .Com site asap. problem 2 is, the sites rip off america for billions in taxes not paid, all the money goes out of country. 3rd is, proven cheating and rigging of accounts both for and agaisnt by the poker sites themselves. I've won a 6 figure tournament win before, been the player of the week etc. on one of the sites, I have played since the sites started, it used to be legit in the beginning, but somewhere along the way, the sites got greedy and wanted all the money. I can assure you that at least on 2 of the sites shut down, cheating has been proven by many players who would know the math and %s outcomes over millions of hands of Tournament poker. R.I.P Pokerstars.

16HD117 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2011, 08:20:03 PM »

Quote from: Cigarmike on April 18, 2011, 07:25:21 PM

Long overdue, 3 major problems with the sites they shut down, They let underage players in U.S. play, they use a .Net website that advertises FREE poker and play money, yet want you to come over to real money .Com site asap. problem 2 is, the sites rip off america for billions in taxes not paid, all the money goes out of country. 3rd is, proven cheating and rigging of accounts both for and agaisnt by the poker sites themselves. I've won a 6 figure tournament win before, been the player of the week etc. on one of the sites, I have played since the sites started, it used to be legit in the beginning, but somewhere along the way, the sites got greedy and wanted all the money. I can assure you that at least on 2 of the sites shut down, cheating has been proven by many players who would know the math and %s outcomes over millions of hands of Tournament poker. R.I.P Pokerstars.

I would love to see some links to this info about the "proven" cheating.

grc · « **Reply #8 on:** April 18, 2011, 09:47:44 PM »

Uhh, are you aware that Congress passed a law back in 2006 outlawing online poker? Not sure why it took the Justice Department five years to get around to enforcing the law, but it looks like they finally made their move. No skin off my nose, but I can understand why they might want to find a way to regulate or outlaw it, since it has none of the built in safeguards gambling at a casino has (like age limits, for instance). From what I gather, the groups running these sites are all off shore, have no accountability, and are suspected of being a huge money laundering scheme.

Jerry

petewerner · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2011, 10:08:02 PM »

I feel sorry for all the addicits families, perhaps this will help them..... But it is to each his or her own to choose take poison or not.........

duranh · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2011, 01:04:08 AM »

I am a poker player, love the game! I played on FullTilt quite a bit in the past, now I mostly play live games. I know for sure that one of the sites was busted for abuses of the Admins at one point. This crack down comes now because there is a bill in to legalize online poker since the Supreme Court has ruled that Poker is a game of skill. Bust all of the habitual violators of the law, then legalize it and tax the heck out of it.

16HD117 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2011, 09:54:18 AM »

This is just another case where the government is trying to regulate something that can't be regulated. Prohibition didn't work, doubt if this will either. When the dust settles, it will end up just like alcohol sales did, the government will be taxing it and gambling will continue.

110tHunDer · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2011, 01:18:20 PM »

Online poker players to be reunited with cash:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Online-poker-players-to-be-cnnm-4166955808.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=8&asset=&ccode=

16HD117 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2011, 01:43:15 PM »

Quote from: 103tHunDer on April 20, 2011, 01:18:20 PM

Online poker players to be reunited with cash:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Online-poker-players-to-be-cnnm-4166955808.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=8&asset=&ccode=

They had frozen accounts Friday but Saturday AM I was able to transfer my funds out!

Yesterday when you would try to go to pokerstars.com a REAL nasty message from the Department of Justice would come up. Now when go to the site US players get this message:

http://www.pokerstars.com/usaplayers/index.html

sadunbar · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2011, 01:44:44 PM »

Heard on the radio today that members of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker are going to be allowed to withdrawl their cash deposits from the sites....

Wild Card · « **Reply #15 on:** April 20, 2011, 02:55:39 PM »

Quote from: grc on April 18, 2011, 09:47:44 PM

Uhh, are you aware that Congress passed a law back in 2006 outlawing online poker? Not sure why it took the Justice Department five years to get around to enforcing the law, but it looks like they finally made their move. No skin off my nose, but I can understand why they might want to find a way to regulate or outlaw it, since it has none of the built in safeguards gambling at a casino has (like age limits, for instance). From what I gather, the groups running these sites are all off shore, have no accountability, and are suspected of being a huge money laundering scheme.

Jerry

Exactly! I'm surprised that the Justice Department is unfreezing the accounts. The players were breaking the law as much as the groups running the sites.

16HD117 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 20, 2011, 03:04:48 PM »

Quote from: Wild Card on April 20, 2011, 02:55:39 PM

Exactly! I'm surprised that the Justice Department is unfreezing the accounts. The players were breaking the law as much as the groups running the sites.

Not me!

16HD117 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 20, 2011, 05:21:14 PM »

Got these two emails today from Pokerstars.

#1

Hello 07HD110,

This email is to notify you that the following cashout via eCheck was rejected.

Cashout request time: 2011/04/16
Cashout amount: USD
eCheck cashout transaction ID: 541073945

The amount of USD 0000.00 has been credited back to your PokerStars account balance. If you have any further questions regarding this transaction, please contact "PokerStars Cashier" <cashier1@pokerstars.eu>.

Best regards,

PokerStars Payments Team

#2

Dear PokerStars player,

We were very pleased to receive the news today that allows US players to cash out their real money balances.

In response to this update, the Cashout Option in the PokerStars Cashier will be temporarily closed, to allow us to prepare the technical solutions and formulate the plan and processes required to allow you to cash out your balance.

In the interim, any pending cashouts have been returned to your account in order to ensure players have the opportunity to cash out orderly. Please be assured, US player balances are safe. We will notify all US players as soon as the cashier is available again.

Providing you with the facility to cash out is our top priority right now, and hopefully all US players will be able to cash out via the PokerStars Cashier in the near future.

We apologize for the temporary delay, and sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation, as we continue working towards providing you with a solution to cash out.

Regards,

PokerStars Support

spydglide · « **Reply #18 on:** April 20, 2011, 05:57:26 PM »

Quote from: 11hd110 on April 20, 2011, 05:21:14 PM

Got these two emails today from Pokerstars.

#1

Hello 07HD110,

This email is to notify you that the following cashout via eCheck was rejected.

Cashout request time: 2011/04/16
Cashout amount: USD
eCheck cashout transaction ID: 541073945

The amount of USD 0000.00 has been credited back to your PokerStars account balance. If you have any further questions regarding this transaction, please contact "PokerStars Cashier" <cashier1@pokerstars.eu>.

Best regards,

PokerStars Payments Team

#2

Dear PokerStars player,

We were very pleased to receive the news today that allows US players to cash out their real money balances.

In response to this update, the Cashout Option in the PokerStars Cashier will be temporarily closed, to allow us to prepare the technical solutions and formulate the plan and processes required to allow you to cash out your balance.

In the interim, any pending cashouts have been returned to your account in order to ensure players have the opportunity to cash out orderly. Please be assured, US player balances are safe. We will notify all US players as soon as the cashier is available again.

Providing you with the facility to cash out is our top priority right now, and hopefully all US players will be able to cash out via the PokerStars Cashier in the near future.

We apologize for the temporary delay, and sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation, as we continue working towards providing you with a solution to cash out.

Regards,

PokerStars Support

'Liquidity problem?' spyder

16HD117 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 20, 2011, 06:26:39 PM »

Quote from: spydglide on April 20, 2011, 05:57:26 PM

'Liquidity problem?' spyder

Yep!

cvobiker · « **Reply #20 on:** April 21, 2011, 12:59:52 AM »

I suspect letter #3 and 4 and so on will be more excuses... In other words,, good luck on cashing out

2k · « **Reply #21 on:** April 21, 2011, 09:46:24 PM »

Just keep hoping you get your funds back......are are they lying again?

grc · « **Reply #22 on:** April 22, 2011, 01:31:31 PM »

Quote from: spydglide on April 20, 2011, 05:57:26 PM

'Liquidity problem?' spyder

I think you nailed it spyder. Sort of like that last batch of "investors" with Bernie Madoff, if you know what I mean.

Jerry

16HD117 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 26, 2011, 04:33:41 PM »

Email #3 recieved from Pokerstars 4/26/11:

Dear 07HD110,

In light of recent developments, PokerStars is no longer offering real money play to residents of the United States of America and its territories.

The PokerStars Cashier is now available for you to cash out the funds in your real money account balance. We strongly recommend that you use the bank transfer option; to use it, you will need to have your current banking information at hand.

Please note that due to the expected high volume of cashout requests, we anticipate a delay in processing and delivery of your funds. Rest assured that your funds are safe and we will process your request as soon as possible.

Please contact paymentservices@pokerstars.com if you experience any issues.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Regards,

PokerStars Support

spydglide · « **Reply #24 on:** April 26, 2011, 06:11:58 PM »

Quote from: 11hd110 on April 26, 2011, 04:33:41 PM

Email #3 recieved from Pokerstars 4/26/11:

Dear 07HD110,

The PokerStars Cashier is now available for you to cash out the funds in your real money account balance. We strongly recommend that you use the bank transfer option; to use it, you will need to have your current banking information at hand.

Please note that due to the expected high volume of cashout requests, we anticipate a delay in processing and delivery of your funds. Rest assured that your funds are safe and we will process your request as soon as possible.

And do you feel comfortable sending them your banking acct. info? Hope it works out for you. spyder

16HD117 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 26, 2011, 06:27:28 PM »

Quote from: spydglide on April 26, 2011, 06:11:58 PM

And do you feel comfortable sending them your banking acct. info? Hope it works out for you. spyder

They've already got it. That's how I make deposits and withdrawals. Been playing on PS for at least five years. No problems.

At this point I don't think there is any need to worry about them screwin' with my account since they're already in deep chit with the DOJ.

cvobiker · « **Reply #26 on:** April 27, 2011, 09:10:01 AM »

Quote from: 11hd110 on April 26, 2011, 06:27:28 PM

They've already got it. That's how I make deposits and withdrawals. Been playing on PS for at least five years. No problems.

At this point I don't think there is any need to worry about them screwin' with my account since they're already in deep chit with the DOJ.

They've already sold your personal data to another poker house. Once you hand your pers chit out, it ain't personal no more.... Ifen I were in your shoes, I'd be closing and opening new accounts... Just hope you never gave out your SSN to any of these jerks.

16HD117 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 29, 2011, 01:03:30 PM »

Recieved my account balance from Pokerstars yesterday!

sadunbar · « **Reply #28 on:** April 29, 2011, 01:05:13 PM »

Quote from: 11hd110 on April 29, 2011, 01:03:30 PM

Recieved my account balance from Pokerstars yesterday!

My buddy's Poker playing younger brother received his account balance back yesterday also...

spydglide · « **Reply #29 on:** April 29, 2011, 04:00:10 PM »

Quote from: 11hd110 on April 29, 2011, 01:03:30 PM

Recieved my account balance from Pokerstars yesterday!

Good deal.

har. spyder

Twolanerider · « **Reply #30 on:** April 29, 2011, 11:36:02 PM »

Wish they'd cash out my play money account.....

sadunbar · « **Reply #31 on:** April 30, 2011, 08:44:16 AM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on April 29, 2011, 11:36:02 PM

Wish they'd cash out my play money account.....

$750.00 in MOCO play money?

Author Topic: Online Poker Shut Down in US (Read 3317 times)