8 Million seized in poker bankroll funds in Washington State

[felicie]

The recent enforcement of the 2006 UIGEA against online gambling transactions delivered a major blow to the online poker industry last month when eWalletXpress was forced to shut down their US operations. Over the past few days, the feds dealt another massive strike to the online poker world by seizing $8 million in online poker bankroll funds in Washington State.

According to the stipulations imposed by the UIGEA, it is unlawful for banks to process transactions dealing with online gambling. Unfortunately, due to confusion among legislators regarding whether poker is a game of chance or a skill game, online poker is fully included in this legislation. As a result of recent enforcement of the UIGEA, many Washington poker players are now wondering why their bankrolls have suddenly evaporated.

Forbes Magazine, the popular financial monthly that has been covering a surprising amount of news regarding the recent legal controversies over online poker, has reported that cash residing in the accounts of poker players at JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, SunTrust, Chase and Bank of America has been seized. Bank of America has been hit hardest, with a total of $5.1 million in poker funds seized thus far.

The feds are targeting banks that have accepted payments from payment processors including Secure Money, Arrow Checks, Anaya Trading Solutions, Etegrity Processing and Blue Lake Logistics. If your poker site of choice uses any of those firms to process deposits or withdrawals, consider yourself warned.

The beginning of the seizure dates back to June, when a federal task force officer received a tip from an individual stating that he’d received a payment from Arrow Checks for online poker winnings. Federal investigators are now examining the activity of financial transactions at sites including UB, Absolute POker, Poker Stars and Full Tilt. The investigations thus far have apparently been limited to Washington State.

If you’re an online poker player residing in Washington State, now might be a good time to make a large withdrawal. If your bankroll hasn’t been confiscated already, this may be your last chance.

[Mousey]

Thank you.

Source please? I've got bones to pick with this story.... LOL

I'd like to backtrack and find out about

recent enforcement of the 2006 UIGEA against online gambling transactions delivered a major blow to the online poker industry last month when eWalletXpress was forced to shut down their US operations

since I think ALL players with funds in EWX are left out in the cold. I didn't think they were exclusively USA facing... And WHO 'forced' a shut down...

and a couple other things.... LOL

[felicie]

http://makepokerlegal.com/blog/ sorry mousey.

[all4greed]

As a result of recent enforcement of the UIGEA, many Washington poker players are now wondering why their bankrolls have suddenly evaporated.

Forbes Magazine, the popular financial monthly that has been covering a surprising amount of news regarding the recent legal controversies over online poker, has reported that cash residing in the accounts of poker players at JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, SunTrust, Chase and Bank of America has been seized. Bank of America has been hit hardest, with a total of $5.1 million in poker funds seized thus far.

The feds are targeting banks that have accepted payments from payment processors including Secure Money, Arrow Checks, Anaya Trading Solutions, Etegrity Processing and Blue Lake Logistics. If your poker site of choice uses any of those firms to process deposits or withdrawals, consider yourself warned.

If you’re an online poker player residing in Washington State, now might be a good time to make a large withdrawal. If your bankroll hasn’t been confiscated already, this may be your last chance.

What are they suggesting to withdraw? The person's checking/savings accounts at the referenced banks or whatever EWallet type thing they are going through?

[felicie]

I read it just like you said. I just ran across this place last week and afraid I don't know much about them but you can register and ask them I suppose for more info. One thing for sure is why the hell ewalletxpress didn't make headlines like these? Somethings so stinky about the whole thing.

[vinylweatherman]

I read it just like you said. I just ran across this place last week and afraid I don't know much about them but you can register and ask them I suppose for more info. One thing for sure is why the hell ewalletxpress didn't make headlines like these? Somethings so stinky about the whole thing.

Quite. This latest news rams home how ODD the "seizure" at EWX is compared to all past, and now FUTURE, seizures.

It looks more and more like EWX "went to ground" in time to outwit the DoJ, and still have the money somewhere.

First they BS about "technical problems", then they let this "seizure" idea leak out, with all the stories based on that ONE email that ONE operator leaked. NOTHING other than this has since emerged to corroborate this piece of evidence.

[all4greed]

One would expect their front page of the website to have some remark about their difficulties, but alas no despite being in the 2 month mark. Not that I would do it, but I wonder if any individual could add money to their account, especially a new customer.

[felicie]

I was thinking about that too all4greed. LOL Does ewalletxpress think anyone will be running to do business with them after this little game since I don't know what else to call it.

Since I started this thread does that mean I can derail it? Actually you did VWM. I guess we're good then.

[LHofsdal]

I read on another forum that one of the members were in Canada, and they can not touch their EWX account either. So who knows.

If you want the link to that forum, PM and I will send it to you. It won't be until Saturday, becausse I am going to hit the clearance sales tomorrow and that will take me all day.

All the best,
LH

[Mousey]

http://makepokerlegal.com/blog/ sorry mousey.

Thank you hon... I just wanted to see if I could get more info.... there's more holes in this story than a golf course... and just sheer lack of facts and info. Would really like more real information, but seems I still can't find anything in mainstream press about EWX.

The state of Washington may be within their rights to confiscate funds. Not that I think it's right, it's just that it may be LEGAL for them, because gambling online was made VERY illegal in Washington State... right up there with robbers and rapists I think.