Feds seize online poker player's accounts

[MJ DeMarco]

Feds seize online poker player's accounts

An advocacy group for online poker said Tuesday that the federal government has frozen more than $30 million in the accounts of payment processors that handle the winnings of thousands of online poker players.

I would think this would have made bigger news, what's the story here or is this just some limited scope impacting very few?

Feds Freeze Online Poker Bank Accounts - Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News - FOXNews.com

 

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[Redshft]

Wow....interesting.

 

[Kung Fu Steve]

What does this mean for my favorite poker training site Bluefirepoker.com ????:huh2:

 

[Bobo]

Wow. Thank God the EU is swinging back to the right, we'll needa place to land eventually

 

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[Andrew]

Jokes on the feds:

Both FullTiltPoker.com and PokerStars.com have reimbursed players who tried to cash out and were unable to.

"In light of recent events involving the freezing of certain accounts, Full Tilt Poker would like to assure all players that their funds remain safe and secure," spokeswoman Michelle Clayborn said in a statement.

"All players who were affected by the current situation have had their funds returned to their accounts," the statement said. David, the World Series hopeful, said he had been reimbursed by PokerStars and given an additional 10 percent credit.

Feds Freeze Poker Champ's Winnings

 

[Bilgefisher]

Very few folks actually oppose online gaming. Its only a matter of time before it becomes regulated. The gov't knows they can make a ton of money off of it, they just haven't figured out how yet.

Also some american companies are hoping to shutdown American usage on foreign sites that way when they are allowed to finally step in, they will be able to dominate the market. Surprisingly, Harrah's entertainment was one of the largest political donors to the representative who pushed this bill last year. (His name eludes me at the moment)

Its all a matter of business. Although I think they greatly miscalculated on this one. Within a few years of regulated online gaming in the US, you will see American companies do very well. Its a matter of trust. Folks feel safer putting their money locally rather then dealing with foreign countries. Especially if there is cheating involved at the scale of Absolute poker. Folks will feel that in an American company they have at least some legal recourse.

Not to mention if MGM or Harrah's have online sites, they may tie trips and comps to there b&m casinos.

 

[sprite]

I completely agree. I think it would be great if we could get comped for playing online. I think this along would be enough for people to play from domestic providers.

 

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[ChrisS417]

Very few folks actually oppose online gaming. Its only a matter of time before it becomes regulated. The gov't knows they can make a ton of money off of it, they just haven't figured out how yet.

Anyone else find it disturbing that the government will change its mind on the legality of something "bad" as long as they get cut into the profits...

Isn't that akin to a landlord finding out a tenant is a drug dealer, but lets it slide as long as he gets a cut of profits?

 

[Davidla]

Anyone else find it disturbing that the government will change its mind on the legality of something "bad" as long as they get cut into the profits...

Look at Holland for Instance - they regulated drugs and the goverment enjoys it's taxes...

Also - how is betting & gambling a "good" thing? you have many people who get addicted to it and lose their homes because of it.

Another example is Alcohol & Tabacco...none of them are considered "good".
They are adictive and have bad influence on your health (exept one glass of red win each day which seems to be adviced :smxB...but still they are legal.

I wouldn't go as far and say that the reason they are legal is because of the tax money they bring...but if they go along with democracy and the right for freedom - the goverment surely woudln't mind the tax money, and would prefer having it under controll and legal than illegal and have someone else enjoy the money it brings.