JF is closing off the US to NEW registrations

[spearmaster]

Allow me to suggest that if a closure was planned and notification made, that you should simply have left it be. There isn't any real reason to suddenly notify people that you've put the closure back, because you're still going to do it. Players would've been happy to discover on their own that the closure hadn't taken place yet - but instead now they think you can't make up your minds.

The alternative would've been to make sure that MGS was ready and able to shut down access to US players, before making an announcement a few days in advance. Assuming you actually did this, and suddenly MGS was unable to implement the procedure - well, I'm afraid they should be taking the blame for that - but no need to pass it off as "the decision has been delayed", which sounds like you made a decision to delay it.

All that said, it's still nice that someone comes in here and is willing to answer for his actions

[Simmo!]

I agree with the sentiments expressed above - it's good to have operators updating players in forums, even if the situation isn't ideal. Thanks David.

[vinylweatherman]

Perhaps it would help if some EXPLANATION were forthcoming as to WHY some of these changes appear illogical. Where there is a seeming mad rush, and complete lack of logic and coordination, the result is that even a well planned operation can appear as a confused mess.

One point has been raised repeatedly, and this is WHY has the instant play option been planned to shut COMPLETELY, yet only a small number of the games shut out in the VIPER version, after all, surely Munchkins, for example can just as "legally" be offered to US players under FLASH or VIPER.

This is but one example of what appears to be a complete lack of logic in the sequence of events. Why on earth can't EVERYTHING be done on December 1st, and players told that "It is OUR INTENTION to..........." and give a date. If it doesn't happen, it is not a U-Turn by the bosses, it is simply a short technical delay in the inevitable.

Telling players in advance allows them to empty their accounts beforehand, in the expectation that they would lose access later. Now, by saying there is a delay, you have a situation where players are now reinstalling the casinos and making further deposits. THIS IS NOT IN THEIR BEST INTERESTS, is it, since the plan to withdraw from the US has not changed, it is merely a technical delay. It is just possible that the lack of coordination will strike in reverse, and MGS block the accounts BEFORE you get the chance to send out a new notification. You will then have a PR crisis on your hands, mainly from players who heeded the original notification, but then were encouraged to reinstall and play a little longer.

Effort would be best spent attacking the growing EU market, as well as the far east, but bearing in mind that the Chinese government are just as anti as the US when it comes to online casinos, despite gambling being very popular indeed. China could follow the lead of the US and drive you out of there as well, they already have heavy censorship applied at the ISP level, and it should be a lot easier for China to block off online gambling sites than it has been for America. A move to a UK whitelist licensing jurisdiction should be seriously considered once all US facing operations have been closed off, as this will allow you to advertise fully within most of the EU.

[brianzz]

Has the US blockade already started with Microgamings website? It's been returned to me as site not available for about 2 weeks now. Anyone else outside of the US getting the same message?

[AuntieIdiot]

Has the US blockade already started with Microgamings website? It's been returned to me as site not available for about 2 weeks now. Anyone else outside of the US getting the same message?

Don't know if the US blockade has started or not but I get site unavailable at Microgaming.com also. I am still able to log into all of my microgaming accounts that I haven't closed.

[Casinomeister]

Comes up fine from here.

Honestly, in light of what is going on with the UIGEA, if I were a US player. I would withdraw my balance now from any MGS powered casino and wait it out through 1 December. I wouldn't attempt to make any deposits until a few days after then.

And that date is coming up fast - you've got two weeks

[AuntieIdiot]

Comes up fine from here.

Honestly, in light of what is going on with the UIGEA, if I were a US player. I would withdraw my balance now from any MGS powered casino and wait it out through 1 December. I wouldn't attempt to make any deposits until a few days after then.

And that date is coming up fast - you've got two weeks

I completely agree with you there. I have no intention of depositing at any MGS casinos...probably should just uninstall them or close the accounts. I don't have any money sitting in any of my accounts either. Just playing in the free tourneys when I'm bored. I don't think that I'd make a deposit after December 1st either, they'll probably accept the deposit just fine but be unable to pay IF (and that was a BIG If) I did happen to win.

[vinylweatherman]

Has the US blockade already started with Microgamings website? It's been returned to me as site not available for about 2 weeks now. Anyone else outside of the US getting the same message?

There you have it.

GOVERNMENT censorship of INFORMATION, and NOT prevention of a particular activity.

This site is NOT offering a gambling service, it is merely the portal for a Isle of Man private company that provides software to online gambling companies.

This is EXACTLY what the CHINESE government have done, they have suppressed INFORMATION, not specific activities.

Naturally, the Chinese citizens have found ways around the government censorship, and are now aware of what is happening in Tibet, and how the international community sees this. Equally, US Citizens will find a way to access INFOTMATION related to the subject of Online Gambling.

The seriousness of this move should not be underestimated, as this not only stops an activity, but SUPRESSES INFORMATION that may be helpful for any campaign to have the law changed in favour of regulation.

Further, where will it stop. What is to say that the same stunt will not be pulled to supress information about controversial topics such as Guantanamo Bay and the war in Iraq from websites openly critical of the US line.

Forget about gambling, take the fight to the subject of internet censorship of INFORMATION, this will win allies from those OPPOSED to allowing online gambling, but who are incensed that their government can prevent them from finding INFORMATION about a controversial topic through the blocking of "undesirable" websites.

IF this was down to the site being seized by Kentucky, then ALL of us would see this message.

For those who find their CASINOS unaffected, could you try accessing Playcheck and Cashcheck, as these are run from subdomains of the "blocked" microgaming.com

For example: playcheck6.microgaming.com/goldwhatevercrapcasino/.....

[Pinababy69]

Don't know if the US blockade has started or not but I get site unavailable at Microgaming.com also. I am still able to log into all of my microgaming accounts that I haven't closed.

I can also access the MG home site just fine....Canada here.

[Simmo!]

Not sure if I missed this earlier in the thread, but Belle Rock are starting to close all US Player accounts:

As was to be expected along with no new sign ups from the USA there has also been a decision taken to approach the closure of US based casino account in a phased manner.

Belle Rock looks after Lucky Nugget, Jackpot City, Gaming Club & River Belle.