payment processors trouble!!

addam00 · payment processors trouble!!

so what I have heard that is us froze some payment prpccess frpm online poker rooms from the banks in the usa? so I am woindering which sites are affected and this seems like a big step backward. and the freeze some funds

it seems like the people that are against onlne poker are trying to get all there bills pass during the wsop becasue the pros all there at the wsop and there not paying attention to the legalizeing things against poker

addam00

so I guess my unsertanding the froze the accounts from fulltilt,pokerstarts and the cerues network.. so I think merge and cake networks are now.... so far I guess.

harry_lime

I think you're talking about the siezure of echecks by operators such as Pokerstars and Full Tilt ? This will in fact be cleared up soon but please let me know if you are talking about something else and i'll check that out too. The PPA have just issued a statement on the proceedings :

Information for PPA Members on Actions by the Southern District of New York
By Poker Players Alliance

As of June 9, 2009

In light of recent events by the Southern District of New York (SDNY) to freeze payment processor accounts containing pay-outs to online poker players, the PPA would like to clarify the facts as we know them today. Be assured, the PPA is keeping close tabs on this situation and is doing everything possible to protect our members’ money and rights.

• On or about June 4, 2009, a federal agent working with a federal prosecutor from the Southern District of New York contacted at least two banks in the Los Angeles and Scottsdale areas and requested that accounts containing approximately $19 million in player deposits and payouts be immediately frozen until a seizure warrant could be obtained from an appropriate judicial officer.

◦It is important to underscore that in at least two cases, the prosecutor acted and the banks responded without a warrant being issued.

• Two days prior, the same agent and prosecutor team sent a seizure order to Wells Fargo freezing at least $14 million in accounts at that bank which were designated as pay-outs of winnings to Internet poker player.

• In most cases, the pay-outs were the return of initial deposits made by players. That same prosecutor sent two subpoenas to two individuals associated with one of the payment processing companies.

• The seizure notice and subpoenas appear to allege violations of the Wire Act and the Illegal Gambling Business Act, even by .com sites that are exempt from Wire Act liability and by .net sites that do not accept money.

• These actions are not related to enforcement of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA.).

• At least 24,000 player accounts have been affected directly or indirectly by the SDNY action.
PPA has been in touch with the affected poker Web sites and has been assured that all players have been or will be appropriately reimbursed.

• On Monday, June 8th, the PPA sent a letter to the Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York asking to be part of any future warrant hearings. The letter is available at www.pokerplayersalliance.org.
The PPA is working closely with legal counsel on this issue to determine the appropriate course of action and will keep members updated as events warrant.

This is yet another example of misguided efforts to prohibit online poker. A more effective way to provide important protections while allowing individuals the freedom to play poker online is to regulate and license the industry. We need your help to make this happen. Send a letter to your member of Congress asking them to support licensing and regulating online poker.

addam00

ya thats what I am talking about...

addam00

I know,, some of the us sites uses banks overseas and uses a us bank as a third or fouth party I think bo dog does that alot.. so now I be playinmg on cake alot more.

SoSoft

It just gets tougher and tougher for us US players. Merge has raised it's withdrawal fees, too. I had to pay $50 out of my $600 withdrawal. UGH.

Miklosik

pstars check bounced. In their defense, they emailed me and told me that it would. Credited it +10% back to my acct immediately.

harry_lime

Update

Supposedly, Full Tilt & Pokerstars have now sorted out the problems but due to a heavy backlog, it may take some time to get all echeck requests processed.

The other sites affected by this should also be following suit in due course.