JF is closing off the US to NEW registrations

[jetset]

Having now had the opportunity to speak to most of the larger Microgaming licensee groups I can confirm Dom's post above; from next Monday no further new US registrations will be accepted, and this originated - I'm told very reluctantly - from the operators and not Microgaming.

The reasons I was given are pretty much along the lines I speculated on in my earlier post here.

It appears at present that there are no immediate plans to extend this ban to existing players, but as other posters here have noted, and recent circumstances have again underlined, the US situation is a delicate and dynamic one that can quickly change.

Should that happen in a negative way, I am confident that Microgaming will stick to its track record of ensuring that the players are paid, as will the mostly well established licensee groups, but who can tell what unforseen obstacles could arise so the cautious approach urged by others here is probably good advice.

Whether this situation would change with a favourable appeal against the Kentucky nonsense is at this stage a matter for speculation - everyone certainly is watching developments there closely.

[Simmo!]

...and this originated - I'm told very reluctantly - from the operators and not Microgaming...

I don't quite get that bit. If it was the operators, why didn't they just do it for themselves on an individual basis...why go to MG for a block? There's bound to be at least one operator that would prefer to hold out.

[thisisvegas]

I don't think this is a payment processing based reason otherwise they wouldn't keep any of the existing players as well and shut them all out.

My personal opinion is that Microgaming is going to float on the London Stock Exchange and it's the same situation as Playtech and any other publicly traded company that had to deal with UIEGA. This would force all the operators to not accept new US players, otherwise I'm certain there would be many who would reject the decision. Let's see what really does happen, the timing would be bad and maybe the shares would be worth taking up knowing everyone else was brought down recently?

[dominique]

I don't quite get that bit. If it was the operators, why didn't they just do it for themselves on an individual basis...why go to MG for a block? There's bound to be at least one operator that would prefer to hold out.

You are mixing up two seperate events - the blocking of Kentucky and surroundings and the closing of casinos to US players.

[Simmo!]

You are mixing up two seperate events - the blocking of Kentucky and surroundings and the closing of casinos to US players.

No - I'm not Dom, Jetset said above he was told that this latest one was an operator decision.

Incidentally: I'd suggest those who play slot tournaments register with all the casinos who do them now so that at least you have the option to play them at a later date.

Also, a little tip: register via the Flash version of the casino - it's quicker and you don't have to download every one

[dominique]

First item - a few days ago - Microgaming blocks Kentucky. Many others (non Kentuckians) are affected and all hell breaks lose on various levels. This WAS done by microgaming and I spoke to some casinos who were quite upset about it.

Second item - a couple days later - Various operators of microgaming casinos decide to stop taking new US players. This is NOT an IP block by microgaming, this is only applicable to new players. No blocking involved here.

These two are seperate, consecutive occurrances and while one may have been triggered by the other, they are not the same action and only one includes blocking by MGS.

[Simmo!]

This is NOT an IP block by microgaming, this is only applicable to new players. No blocking involved here.

These two are seperate, consecutive occurrances and while one may have been triggered by the other, they are not the same action and only one includes blocking by MGS.

I know all that You're confusing me LOL. I guess I should clarify: my question was, why would all the operators suddenly want to block the USA on a certain day when it's such a huge part of their business? It has to be an MGS decision - or at the very least a recommendation from them that threatens the licences, surely?

[jetset]

Hi everyone,

I would like to clarify my posting. This decision is from the Jackpot Factory group and NOT from MGS. Unfortunately, I don’t always get the messages as I should. According to my sources in the industry many other MGS casino’s will be making similar announcement during the next few days. I think everyone has just come to the conclusion that accepting new US players simply isn’t worth the headache especially with the whole IP tracking and documentation issues discussed a few days ago.

I will repeat that we’re still more than happy to host our existing players and will continue to operate business as usually. Pinababy69, we’re certainly not planning on closing off the US to our existing players and all account balances are always going to be available to our players.

Mousey, I appreciate your comments regarding player notification. I’ve mentioned this several times before but to me the most important thing for this industry is transparency. No reason to keep our customers out of the loop on important issues.

All the best,

David Brickman
VP Player Affairs
Jackpot Factory Casino Group
http://www.jfspokesman.com/index.php?bTag=jflh

I think the above confirms what I have been told privately by several licensees, but the point is surely moot now; the central point here is that come Monday 10th November all new US registrations will be stopped by Microgaming licensees for the forseeable future.

[jetset]

I don't think this is a payment processing based reason otherwise they wouldn't keep any of the existing players as well and shut them all out.

My personal opinion is that Microgaming is going to float on the London Stock Exchange and it's the same situation as Playtech and any other publicly traded company that had to deal with UIEGA. This would force all the operators to not accept new US players, otherwise I'm certain there would be many who would reject the decision. Let's see what really does happen, the timing would be bad and maybe the shares would be worth taking up knowing everyone else was brought down recently?

That's interesting speculation, but if accurate it will be one of the best kept secrets this year, as these things involve so many people that there is usually a leak and rumours fly around....which hasn't been the case as far as I am aware.

But considering the possibility, why would MGS want to go public, and especially in this rather depressing economic and political environment?

I doubt that the company needs additional capital, and one advantage of staying private is freedom from having to publicly report commercially sensitive information every five minutes.

Private companies can usually move faster and are more flexible, too - useful attributes in a dynamic market and the conditions that the industry is currently experiencing.

If MGS did list I believe I would have to take a flutter...there's a lot of industry experience and expertise in that Isle of Man company!!!

It's a fascinating thought....

[Pinababy69]

If MGS did list I believe I would have to take a flutter.....

Take a flutter? Does that mean buy stock? Economics dummy here.