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US to Close World's Largest Poker Sites

Ian Ross
- 270 posts
April 15, 2011 1:45:46 PM EDT

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An agressive move was taken by the US Government on Friday to close some of the World's largest online poker sites including Full Tilt Poker, Poker Stars and Absolute Poker.

Federal prosecutors have charged three of the largest Internet poker companies with fraudulently getting banks to process billions of dollars of illegal betting proceeds.

US Poker Sites to Close?

If anyone wants to read the official US Attorney's Office indictment :

MANHATTAN U.S. ATTORNEY CHARGES PRINCIPALS
OF THREE LARGEST INTERNET POKER COMPANIES WITH BANK
FRAUD, ILLEGAL GAMBLING OFFENSES AND LAUNDER
Ian Ross
- 270 posts
April 15, 2011 1:54:12 PM EDT

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Perhaps worth US based players to withdraw funds as soon as they can?

Maybe that actually affects other players around the Globe too!
Anthony Martino
- 494 posts
April 15, 2011 1:55:38 PM EDT

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Holy ****! Really US Government? There's nothing way more important you should be focusing on? Like creating jobs and "protecting our freedoms" (to buy your lotto and scratch tickets, but screw us if we want to play a more equitable game of cards)
Ian Ross
- 270 posts
April 15, 2011 1:57:57 PM EDT

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Will US Online Poker Die Today?

Or is it an attempt by the US Govt to clear up before cashing in?
Ian Ross
- 270 posts
April 15, 2011 1:58:26 PM EDT

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Thought I might catch your attention with this one Anthony!!
Anthony Martino
- 494 posts
April 15, 2011 2:06:11 PM EDT

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To play devils advocate, there might be a positive spin here. This could be orchestrated by some US-based entities that have a vested interest in trying to hurt the big players in online poker so they can move in (i.e. perhaps regulation is around the corner and this is the first shot being fired through influence from companies like Harrahs who want to make sure they can compete after regulation?)
Ian Ross
- 270 posts
April 15, 2011 2:21:54 PM EDT

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Absolutepoker.com and UB.com have gone although I can still access Stars and Tilt!!
Bill Hart
April 15, 2011 8:07:08 PM EDT

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I was able to play cash games on tilt. I cashed out of Stars and 1 of my UB accounts, who knows if I'll ever get the money.
Ian Ross
- 270 posts
April 15, 2011 10:36:14 PM EDT

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Hope it wasn't a lot, Bill. I've jsut cashed out of Absolute as I had a few hundred in there.

The software's still running ok but the site is down. I guess it probably won't be too long before the software goes as well.

Fingers crossed our cash-outs get through.
Michael Santora
- 5 posts
April 16, 2011 3:17:13 AM EDT

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Just tried to play on Tilt and PS. They wouldn't let me. That's it I guess. It was sure fun while it lasted. Sorry to see it come to this. But in a way I can see why. Too many young kids (high school and college) sacrificing their educations playing on line and there really isn't a way to prevent this. Kids see the lucky few that win millions at the WSOP and WPT and Durr in cash games and think they too can do it. And some do have a modicum of success but it really isnt a healthy way to make a living imo (of course there are exceptions).

Oh well, that's my opinion that may get trashed but that's how i feel about it. but i will miss the games.
Tess Tessier
- 7 posts
April 16, 2011 4:38:36 AM EDT

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I have been playing at UB for years . I keep a grand total of 10.00 and play penny sit and go's. I play to keep my skills sharpened . the few that I have lololol.... PS and Tilt gave me a hard time. So personaly couldn't happen to better Poker sites. Just that a lot of people are going to get hurt. Come play at UB with me . Under Pokerwitch 62. see ya there.
Ian Ross
- 270 posts
April 16, 2011 5:28:04 AM EDT

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pokerwitch wrote...
I have been playing at UB for years . I keep a grand total of 10.00 and play penny sit and go's. I play to keep my skills sharpened . the few that I have lololol.... PS and Tilt gave me a hard time. So personaly couldn't happen to better Poker sites. Just that a lot of people are going to get hurt. Come play at UB with me . Under Pokerwitch 62. see ya there.

Hate to tell you this but UB is going too!! Go to UB.com and have a look.
Anthony Martino
- 494 posts
April 16, 2011 6:26:41 AM EDT

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Yup, I can't get into Tilt. This has to be an opening salvo to weaken the big guns and make room for the US based companies that want to run online rooms post-regulation.

In regards to Toros post, I think you're probably exaggerating the volume of young folks ruining their educations to play online poker. That might be one of the reasons the US government will list, but at the end of the day they don't give two ****s about protecting anyone from anything. It's all about $$$.

They'll claim "we're doing this to protect U.S. Citizens!" while they shove lottery and scratch tickets down our throats to fund road repairs and social services, and mismanage our money by paying contractors $6 for one screw in Iraq.
Janet Shold
- 52 posts
April 16, 2011 6:53:58 AM EDT

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It's all b.s., but what does the future hold for online poker in the US?

Also, it would be my guess that the safest place for your money right now is in the poker rooms. Trying to cash out would put it into the processors' hands, and that's who is being targeted. I figure it'll definitely be held by the DOJ and get stuck if you cash out. Since the poker rooms are still operating in other countries, wouldn't the cash be safe with them?

Just wondering out loud about that.
Janet Shold
- 52 posts
April 16, 2011 7:04:21 AM EDT

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Ian Ross
- 270 posts
April 16, 2011 7:42:15 AM EDT

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I can't access Full Tilt now either. It's trying to download a software update but can't find it and eventually times out.

This is poor, very poor.
Ian Ross
- 270 posts
April 16, 2011 7:52:57 AM EDT

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Wonder which sites are next?

One things for sure, it might take some time, but others will be for the chop as well.
Kashuskay -
- 19 posts
April 16, 2011 7:58:48 AM EDT

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I'm locked out of FT. I can access pokerstars and play (U.S. players nonexistant here). I can login to AP and see U.S. players there which is surprising but maybe not seeing it's AP and you know how good their reputation is.

What has happened to U.S players is absolutely disgraceful and will affect everyone in the world. I better be able to get my money out!

Looks like Party Poker will be THE site now.

Kash
Janet Shold
- 52 posts
April 16, 2011 8:54:54 AM EDT

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OMG not party. Have they ever upgraded their software, or does it have the same look it always had? lol

I am in Canada, and am right now playing a real money game (rush poker) on Full Tilt.

And, I have to say, it's like taking candy from a baby without American players in there.
Gregory Ayers
- 20 posts
April 16, 2011 9:17:11 AM EDT

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This is just more of this administrations attempts to control every aspect of our lives . Vote all these self serving jerks out of office asap !!
Charlie West
April 16, 2011 9:35:38 AM EDT

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Well what can we say...The Tea party was going to protect us from our selves.. In a country where Wall Street bankers can swindle billions of $ from their clients, get the government to bail them out and then start all over and never receive punishment can BIG Brother be far away? In a country where a kid gets busted for having an ounce of pot and gets trafficking charge and none of the bankers involved in the Financial collapse have yet to be charged can Big Brother be far away. In a country where the Conservatives and the religious right have secured power.. after all they know what is best for the american people can Big Brother be far away? Just sayin...
Janet Shold
- 52 posts
April 16, 2011 10:27:18 AM EDT

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DocMicro wrote...
Well what can we say...The Tea party was going to protect us from our selves.. In a country where Wall Street bankers can swindle billions of $ from their clients, get the government to bail them out and then start all over and never receive punishment can BIG Brother be far away? In a country where a kid gets busted for having an ounce of pot and gets trafficking charge and none of the bankers involved in the Financial collapse have yet to be charged can Big Brother be far away. In a country where the Conservatives and the religious right have secured power.. after all they know what is best for the american people can Big Brother be far away? Just sayin...

You hit the nail on the head, there.

Another point is that poker can be argued to be an American game! Although poker has roots elsewhere, it came into its own in the United States. Before online poker, almost all poker bracelet owners were Americans - Texans, even, and anybody else who owns a bracelet surely migrated to the U.S. to be closer to the big games.

There isn't an end to the reasons poker should be legal and regulated and why it shouldn't be outlawed. It is insanity what the DOJ is up to and I can't think of any good way they benefit from it.
Romeo Sam
- 1 posts
April 16, 2011 10:43:42 AM EDT

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anthony wrote...
Holy ****! Really US Government? There's nothing way more important you should be focusing on? Like creating jobs and "protecting our freedoms" (to buy your lotto and scratch tickets, but screw us if we want to play a more equitable game of cards)
Bodog still open,so is cake poker.
Tess Tessier
- 7 posts
April 16, 2011 11:06:36 AM EDT

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UB still open just came from there been playing all afternoon. Just went back and Tara Tara its all there. We'll never go hungy again. Oh Tara.
Nanny Banhammer
April 16, 2011 11:45:55 AM EDT

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I am in full on, berserker rage right now. I can't get my monies.

Thank you Nanny .gov for protecting me from myself. And go F yourself while you're at it.

It's time for the American public to wake up to the false dillema that is the two party system. There's no difference between D and R. Sad that the Libertarians are more concened with weed than freedom.

Come and try to take more of my freedom. I'm armed.