Most of the larger online poker sites have issued statements saying whether or not they will remain open for business for U.S. customers following the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act late last Friday, while customers of other sites wait to hear the news. Some sites are hedging their bets, waiting to see how the law shakes down in the nine months given for financial institutions and internet service providers to seek clarification in the enforcement of the law. Here’s a status report on many of the online poker sites, cobbled together from press releases, statements to the media and other sources.
The Web site EyeOnGambling.com listed a comment from an Absolute Poker official who said, "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."
Bodog appears ready to stay at least temporarily while the whole mess is sorted out, but a comment from founder Calvin Ayre to Gambling911.com indicated he’s ready to find other sources of revenue if need be.
"Bodog is a broad based digital entertainment company that has long ago ceased to be dependent on any one revenue channel,” Ayre said. “Bodog will continue to monitor things as they unfold but is not expected to make any changes until our study is completed."
Cryptologic, parent company of of InterCasino, InterPoker and VIP Casino, closed all game accounts belonging to U.S. residents Tuesday morning. The balance of each of those accounts, minus any uncleared bonuses, will be refunded back to each of the affected players by check within the next few weeks.
“This decision has been taken in light of the imminent passing of the Federal Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act in the United States which will make all transactions for the purposes of online gambling illegal and punishable under federal law,” Cryptologic said in a news release.
Cryptologic, which is based in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles and does less than 30 percent of its business in the United States, will continue to provide online gaming to players based outside the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands and U.S. Minor Outlying Areas.
Gambling911.com reports that Doyle's Room and its Pamela Poker brand (busty Baywatch beauty Pamela Anderson's site) are not anticipated to depart the US market at this time.
Empire Online P.L.C., owner of Empire Poker, stated:
"In light of the new legislation passed by the US Congress last Friday, Empire Online has immediately commenced a review of the likely impact on the company's current business activities. Presently it is difficult to assess the exact effect of this legislation, which could have a material impact on future earnings. The Board of Empire Online will continue to take counsel from its advisors on this matter and will update shareholders accordingly."
Full Tilt Poker will remain open for business for the time being while it studies the new legislation.
We, like all online poker players, are dismayed and saddened by these potential regulations, and are doing our best to determine what these changes will mean to our customers. We are continuing to study this legislation and, until our investigation is complete, believe it would be wrong to comment on how these new rules will impact the ability for players to transfer funds to and from Full Tilt Poker.
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.
888 Holdings, parent company of Pacific Poker, is expected to indefinitely suspend business with U.S. customers, according to a report in the Financial Times of London.
People close to 888 said they believed the company would issue a statement to the London Stock Exchange accepting that the passing of the bill in the U.S. Senate on Friday would have a "material" detrimental impact on its business, according to the report. 888 Holdings does about half of its business in the United States.
Paradise Poker indicated it has no intention of leaving the U.S. market in the short term. Whether President Bush signs a bill into law restricting online gambling via payment transactions or not, the parent company of Paradise Poker issued a statement early Monday saying they would remain active in the U.S. market until further notice, or until banks outside the U.S. decide to comply with the measure.
PartyGaming, parent company of industry leader Party Poker, announced plans to pull out of the U.S. market, where it does three quarters of its business.
After taking extensive legal advice, the Board of PartyGaming P.L.C. 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 into law, the Company will suspend all real money gaming business with US residents, and such suspension will continue indefinitely, subject to clarification of the interpretation and enforcement of U.S. law and the impact on financial institutions of this and other related legislation. Access to PartyGaming's online gaming sites for the Group's US free play customers will be unaffected. Access for all of PartyGaming’s non-U.S. customers will also be unaffected.
Planet Poker, the first online poker site ever opened, issued a statement promising to remain open unless forced to close.
On 30 September 2006, as part of approving the Safe Port Act, the U.S. Congress passed an act relating to internet gambling. Analysts report that when this act is signed by the President, changes will be enforced on the banking community to restrict financial transactions with internet gaming companies. It is unclear at this point how this new law may affect the banking organizations but financial processors are reporting that they anticipate having 270 days to seek clarification on the interpretation of the law.
The good news is that the legal community is reporting that the law does not target individuals and does not make it illegal for individuals to participate in online gaming. Additionally, with poker being identified as a game of skill, many legal experts feel that there is a reasonable chance that poker may eventually be excluded from the new law.
Ultimate Bet has said they expect to continue to be business as usual, and don't anticipate any changes.
William Hill announced last week they were pulling out of the U.S.
In a letter to players, World Sports Exchange, which also operates World Poker Exchange, said it has “absolutely no plans whatsoever of dropping any players.”
WSEX.com and all its sister companies are legal and licensed businesses regulated by the Gaming Commission of Antigua and Barbuda. We are wholly located in Antigua and do no business or run any part of our operation on U.S. soil.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has recognized the right of Antiguan companies to be in this business and has instructed the United States to stop trying to block US residents from playing at Antiguan operations.
Nothing in the bill criminalizes placing a bet or sending money to or receiving money from an offshore gambling business.
We strongly suggest that our players/bettors get set up with alternative payment systems (such as Neteller and First Pay).
WSEX is here to stay.
