Online Poker > Online Poker News
Poker News
October 6th 2006
Statements from poker rooms regarding Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act: where US players can and can't play
The Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, which passed through Congress on Friday night (see yesterday’s news), has completely changed the landscape of Internet gaming for the foreseeable future. Already PartyPoker.com and 888.com (Pacific Poker) have declared themselves out of the US market, and others have followed. Not all sites are planning on being so well behaved however. Here Whichpoker provides a comprehensive list of where US players can and can't play.
Party Poker: Not accepting US players
“After taking extensive legal advice, the Board of PartyGaming has concluded that the new legislation, if signed into law, will make it practically impossible to provide U. S. residents with access to its real money poker and other real money gaming sites. As a result of this development, the Board of PartyGaming has determined that if the President signs the Act (the Internet gaming bill is known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006) into law, the Company will suspend all real money gaming business with US residents."
Poker Stars: Undecided
“PokerStars' management and legal team are examining the bill and at this time there has not been any decision made one way or another with regards to accepting business from U.S. customers. All player funds are kept in a segregated account at a leading European bank. Regardless of any developments, player funds are safe and accessible at any time."
Pacific Poker (888.com): Not accepting US players
“In the light of (the details of the new legislation), the Board has concluded that it is appropriate to suspend participation by U.S. based customers in activities covered by the legislation. The Company will implement this suspension immediately upon the legislation taking effect and the suspension will continue for so long as the legal situation remains the same.”
PokerRoom: Undecided
“PokerRoom.com is currently in the process of obtaining further advice with the objective of fully understanding the applicability and impact of the Act to our US players. However, until the act is signed by President George W. Bush, your gaming at PokerRoom.com and CasinoRoom.com will not change and you are still able to both deposit and cash out through the processors available on the site. The funds in your account are yours and no matter what the outcome of this act, your money can and will be transferred to you at your request.”
Inter Poker: Not accepting US players
“In light of the new legislation in the US restricting financial transactions for all US residents, we are no longer accepting wagers from residents of the United States including those within the US Virgin Islands and US minor outlying areas. We regret to inform you that from 11a.m. Eastern on October 3rd, 2006, we will be closing access to all US gaming accounts, this will prevent game play, ECash transactional activity and the registration of new US accounts. All unused deposits, cleared winnings, uncleared winnings made using bonus money, cleared bonuses and the value of accumulated comp points will be automatically paid by check only.”
Titan: Not accepting US players
“Due to the recent passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act by the United States Senate on September 30, 2006, and its imminent enactment as federal law, we will no longer allow real money gaming activities from United States residents.”
Mansion Poker: Business as usual (for now)
“We wish to reassure our members that at this time, Mansion continues to trade normally and we remain committed to delivering the quality and standard of service that they have come to expect from us.”
Bodog: Business as usual (for now)
"Bodog is a broad based digital entertainment company that has long ago ceased to be dependent on any one revenue channel. Bodog will continue to monitor things as they unfold but is not expected to make any changes until our study is completed. It is definitely our full intention to continue doing business with customers in the United States."
Full Tilt Poker: Business as usual (for now)
“In the short term, we assure you that your online experience at Full Tilt Poker will not change. You will still be able to deposit and withdraw money from the site using the same methods and payment processors you have always used, and your money will remain completely safe and secure. We cannot predict how the online poker experience may change in the future, but we do not expect any immediate impact from the legislation, as the banking industry has 270 days to implement new rules after the bill is signed.
It is also important to note that, once signed, the new legislation will not criminalize individuals for playing poker online. Instead, the bill will eventually attempt to prevent the transfer of funds to online gaming.”
Empire Poker: Not accepting US players
Empire Poker is owned by PartyGaming (who run Party Poker) and as such it will taking the same action.
Absolute Poker: Business as usual
“We want to assure you that Absolute Poker games are still available and that you can continue to enjoy the site as you always have. The new law does not change the legality of playing online games nor will make us close any US customer accounts.”
However they did add: “Absolute Poker has no practical way to determine what is legal in any particular location at any particular time, so it is the customer's responsibility to determine that the betting activity is in full compliance with the laws applicable in the location where the wager is placed or from where the player is located depending on applicable laws.”
UltimateBet: Business as usual
“UltimateBet is not going away as a result of this legislation. The law does not impact people who play games from their computers. Instead, the law focuses on the payment processing of unlawful Internet gaming. Our strong belief is that poker is a game of skill and therefore is not encompassed by this law. As set forth in the user agreement, we furnish a gaming environment, and participants are eligible to access this environment for their enjoyment where legal to do so.”
Submitted: 06/10/2006 12:35:54
Page 1 of 1
Monthly Archive