U.S. PLAYERS SCREWED BY CITADEL AND NETELLER

[footdr]

I am not upset with Citadel and Neteller for banning U.S. players. I am MAD that there was no advanced warning. Earlier today I made deposits by both methods and they will get there money!'

But they have left me no way to return money to my account.

Now I have had to request Check via Courier to cash-in. I had cashins pending and have had to email to change my method of payment which will further delay me getting paid.

They should have allowed withdrawals for a set period of time to allow pending transactions to settle. Like Firepay did.

I am hopping mad! I have already sent both a request to close my account.

Neteller has blocked access to terms and conditions for U.s. players so I just sent an email asking that my account be closed and no further transactions be processed. Sent the same to Citadel.

I am trying to contact Click2pay with no avail.

I personnally will no longer be playing!!!!!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

[winbig]

That sucks. They should still allow time for people to get their money out, or even automatically initiate transfers to people's banks.

FWIW,

Neteller has a big button on their main page that says "Are you a US member?" then flashes to "Important service update".

[pokeraddict]

Yes it is disappointing that they did this with no notice and not allow cashouts. I can see their reasons though. Neteller makes their money from deposits to casinos, not cashouts. They also do not make money off of your withdrawals from NT unless you do it by ATM and then it is only $2. Between the arrests and this US player ban I deposited all around the poker rooms I play in case this happened. Now the only problem is that I have to wait for checks. FWIW I was able to cashout by NT's ATM card tonight for $1000 without any problems.

[jetset]

U.S. PLAYER OPTIONS NEED CLARIFICATION

In the wake of Neteller, US players are searching for alternatives...but it's not easy

US players searching for alternatives to Neteller in order to continue playing online were faced with obstacles and frustration this week, with inefficient e-wallet signup sites, poor communications and a US-availability scenario that seemed to change by the hour.

Message boards and blogs across the industry lit up with exchanges of information, angry exclamations and even despair as American players showed that they are determined to gamble online, but need efficient and professional e-wallets to give them access.

It's a business worth having; Neteller processed over $7 billion in transactions in 2005 and $5.1 billion in the first half of 2006, mostly from U.S. clients to and from online betting sites. By some accounts, that amounted to roughly half of the global market for online wagers.

Yet players were experiencing problems signing up, getting information and in some cases found their existing accounts at alternative e-wallets locked for no apparent reason.

The fluid nature of the crisis accepted, the following was the list of alternatives as we went to press this week:

Available to US players

.Click2Pay (but there have been reports of lock-outs and this is therefore not certain)
·eWalletXpress
·UseMyBank
·EZIPay
·Ecocard
·EveryWhereMoney
.ePassporte
.Moneybookers
.ATMOnline

The following have abandoned the US market:

·Neteller
·Neteller InstaCash
·Citadel
·Instadebit
·Echeck
.Nexus
.Central Coin

Players still have bank wire and other more conventional methods of transferring money, although the use of US-issued credit cards has been generally problematical for some time due to restrictions placed on this method by US banks.

Inevitably in a fast-moving crisis such as this, confusion and frustration breeds and it is important that the companies involved communicate efficiently and as directly as possible with their clients - even if certain companies are on their way out of the US business.

This is a professional obligation to the customer that must be respected, but regrettably that does not appear to be the priority. Companies like Neteller seem more intent on placating investors than easing the pain and huge inconvenience that their abrupt and badly communicated withdrawal is causing to players.

Exacerbating an already bad situation is a volatile combination of clearly inadequate planning by companies for an "orderly withdrawal" and anxious players who are swamping e-wallet sites that do not seem to have enough resources to efficiently handle the rush. Despite corporate statements that the withdrawal has been in the works since last November the unsatisfactory service, payment delays and general confusion indicate otherwise.

For those companies that intend to capitalise on the withdrawal from the US by Neteller et al, now is the time to get the ducks in a row to ensure that players are welcomed and not discouraged from signing up due to inefficient sites or ill-briefed Support reps.

[Mousey]

Excellent article, Jetset!

[jetset]

Thanks! There's already been a few calls and suggestions have been passed on.

This whole situation is causing huge disruption, but things are starting to come to order I think, and efficiencies and response times should get better as that happens.

[MoMa]

Yes it is disappointing that they did this with no notice and not allow cashouts. I can see their reasons though. Neteller makes their money from deposits to casinos, not cashouts. They also do not make money off of your withdrawals from NT unless you do it by ATM and then it is only $2. Between the arrests and this US player ban I deposited all around the poker rooms I play in case this happened. Now the only problem is that I have to wait for checks. FWIW I was able to cashout by NT's ATM card tonight for $1000 without any problems.

I don't know about you, but in case I withdraw to my bank account the fee is 1€ (add also the 0,1% that my bank charges, 3€min-10€max) and the withdrawal to Neteller card is 2€.

By the way, I used the card ONCE, and I'll never use it again...I withdrew 210€ to my card and after the currency conversion to CAD(!!!) and other fees, I ended up with 5,86€ (or sth) in my card, after i withdrew 190€!! About 15€ where fees/currency conversion!

Btw, I'm from Greece

[REOdeathwagon]

I don't know about you, but in case I withdraw to my bank account the fee is 1€ (add also the 0,1% that my bank charges, 3€min-10€max) and the withdrawal to Neteller card is 2€.

By the way, I used the card ONCE, and I'll never use it again...I withdrew 210€ to my card and after the currency conversion to CAD(!!!) and other fees, I ended up with 5,86€ (or sth) in my card, after i withdrew 190€!! About 15€ where fees/currency conversion!

Btw, I'm from Greece

Added to the house advantage of any games you play. Even a player on a huge win streak will have difficulty beating this for a positive withdrawal.