JF is closing off the US to NEW registrations

[dominique]

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?

Reading back, I think we just stumbled over the word "blocking".

With all the state restrictions and now the blocking of Kentucky and surroundings the US market has shrivelled a lot for MGS casinos.

[RobWin]

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

It means to "take a gamble" Pina...

[jetset]

U.S. PLAYER EXCLUSION LATEST (Update)

Microgaming spokesman comments on new US registration bar


Following emailed advisories to affiliates by several Microgaming-powered online gambling groups intimating that new US signups would not be entertained from November 10, InfoPowa today asked a senior Microgaming spokesman for comment on the issue.

He explained as a point of departure that as a software provider the Isle of Man based company does not dictate policy or corporate strategy to its licensees, all of which are independently owned companies.

Regarding the ban by licensees, he said: "Several of Microgaming’s clients, who represent most of the US licensee business, last week decided that the current commercial uncertainty of investing in business from the United States no longer justified accepting new player registrations.

"The US share of business has been declining for some time, and a number of licensees have already intimated to affiliates that they will no longer be taking US play.

"That is a decision for individual licensees, who act in the best interests of their companies

"Play from certain US states was in any event not accepted by Microgaming licensees, and has not been for some time.

"In the light of these decisions, Microgaming did not believe the volume of remaining business warranted the remainder of US-facing licensees keeping their systems available for new registrations, given the technical difficulties of maintaining an effective screening for all circumstances.

"After discussions with these remaining licensees, Microgaming will from today [November 10 2008] be implementing the decision not to accept new US registrations.

"Microgaming is confident that its licensees will be dealing with their players and affiliates in a fair and reasonable manner. In any event, industry player protection bodies such as ECOGRA will be prepared as usual to assist any players who have complaints.

"Microgaming cannot comment on the order for seizure of domain names by a court in Kentucky, as the matter is in the hands of lawyers."

The comments confirm earlier reports that the initiative for the ban originated with licensees discouraged by the continued and possibly worsening uncertainties of doing business in the United States.

The fact that licensees are independent of the software provider and make their own policy and business decisions perhaps also explains why some licensees have told affiliates that they will cease doing business in the USA from December 1, whilst others have not.

Eurolinx, Doyle's Room and Poker Host are the latest Microgaming licensees to join the ban.

Eurolinx this week advised its affiliates: "We regret to inform you that after long and careful deliberation, Eurolinx has decided to accept no new registrations from the US, effective immediately. The market has become turbulent, as evidenced most recently in the Kentucky case.

"All US players at Eurolinx will see no change; they can continue to play as per usual. However, there will be no new registrations allowed. Eurolinx will be concentrating its marketing efforts in the near future on under-serviced markets in Europe and Asia.

"The shift in market focus is only positive, as the US market was approaching maturity and growth was beginning to stagnate. By relocating the focus to new markets, Eurolinx seeks to educate new players to the game, thus keeping growth healthy and upwardly mobile. To poker players, the quality of the game is the most important factor, and the quality of the game is only improved when bringing new players to the game."

[Westland Bowl]

U.S. PLAYER EXCLUSION LATEST (Update)

Microgaming spokesman comments on new US registration bar
......

"The US share of business has been declining for some time......

"That is a decision for individual licensees, who act in the best interests of their companies

"In the light of these decisions, Microgaming did not believe the volume of remaining business warranted the remainder of US-facing licensees keeping their systems available for new registrations......

"Microgaming is confident that its licensees will be dealing with their players and affiliates in a fair and reasonable manner. In any event, industry player protection bodies such as ECOGRA will be prepared as usual to assist any players who have complaints......"

From Eurolinx: "The shift in market focus is only positive, as the US market was approaching maturity and growth was beginning to stagnate.....the quality of the game is only improved when bringing new players to the game."

I guess when there are more (losing) players, then the slots and blackjack are more "fair" at Microgaming. It appears that shrinking customer base is the reason for tighter slots, non-random blackjack hands, and less and less winners at Microgaming casinos. If online casinos can't bring an upright fair game to the tables like the reputable Las Vegas casinos, then get the hell out of here.

[Pinababy69]

I just got the Brightshare (Jackpot Factory) newsletter. Most of it is nothing new, about the no new US accounts, but I highlighted the part that is news to me.

Hi Lisa,

Today we are doing some major affiliate system updates (uploading a new version with less bugs) so Brightshare login and sign up will be down today – sorry about that.

Secondly, as of yesterday Jackpot Factory has stopped receiving new player from the US by taking the following measures:

Removed “United States” from the country drop-down list on the registration form.

Implemented IP monitoring on all new accounts – new US players will be blocked based on IP. These players could be white listed if the player can provide a proof that he doesn’t resides in the US.

All affiliate accounts that have been locked by mistake will be released. At the moment we have only 1 affiliate that was affected.

On Wednesday all Flash and progressive play will be blocked for US players. This includes:
Progressives in Viper
Flash play as guest / Real / demo by US players, based on IP. This includes the Flash links Brightshare provides to affiliates
Play for fun only fun casinos won’t be blocked

Did I miss something or is this the first mention of ALL progressive and flash play being disallowed for the U.S.? What is the reasoning behind that? I'd guess they don't want a US player winning Mega Moolah, Major Millions, etc. The headache of trying to pay them could prove too much, or it may even become impossible.

But what's the flash play thing about? Too much of a load on the servers?

In any event, although David has been forthright to this point, this STILL sounds to me like a company planning on removing themselves completely from the US market at some point. Especially in light of the comments made by MG in Jetset's piece above.

EDIT: Just for the record, most of my affiliate accounts are still open, even though none of them are active.....not for a few years now. And I never did promote JPF, think I signed up with them just before I got out of it. But I still get the newsletters from most of them.

[Mousey]

some licensees have told affiliates that they will cease doing business in the USA from December 1, whilst others have not

Thank you Jetset. Perhaps I've missed it... we players need to know WHICH affiliate programs (specifically which casinos as I'm not familiar with the affiliate programs) are planning to block all US players Dec. 1.

On Wednesday all Flash and progressive play will be blocked for US players. This includes:
Progressives in Viper
Flash play as guest / Real / demo by US players, based on IP. This includes the Flash links Brightshare provides to affiliates
Play for fun only fun casinos won’t be blocked

Thanks for your update also, Pina, as that does appear that JPF is also planning to dump us. If not, why close off access to Flash play... and does this mean blocking us from all progressives, even in the DL software?

Damn, I hate feeling so disoriented and unwanted.

[Pinababy69]

Thank you Jetset. Perhaps I've missed it... we players need to know WHICH affiliate programs (specifically which casinos as I'm not familiar with the affiliate programs) are planning to block all US players Dec. 1.



Thanks for your update also, Pina, as that does appear that JPF is also planning to dump us. If not, why close off access to Flash play... and does this mean blocking us from all progressives, even in the DL software?

Damn, I hate feeling so disoriented and unwanted.

As it says progressives in Viper version Mouse, I'd guess that means all progressive play, either Flash or download. It seems like JPF is trying to hang in as long as possible. I just hope they give you all some warning, if/when they decide to pull out completely.

I'm gonna start reading some of these affy newsletters more closely. Most of the time I delete them without even looking at them. If I come across any more info, I'll post it for you guys.

[vinylweatherman]

We are STILL being misinformed.

Many of these statements, INCLUDING those from on high, contradict the facts so far, and communications of intent/excuses from individual casino operators.

From the official MGS statement, they have formally dropped Intertops in the sh1t. MGS are saying that all that has happened so far was 100% down to the operators, thus it was 100% down to Intertops for deciding to give zero notice so that comp points and incomplete bonuses could be summarily confiscated using action by MGS as an excuse as to why they were unable to be more "fair" about it.

Microgaming is confident that its licensees will be dealing with their players and affiliates in a fair and reasonable manner. In any event, industry player protection bodies such as ECOGRA will be prepared as usual to assist any players who have complaints.

Bollocks

If I were Intertops management, I'd be pretty pissed off if it happened as you say. Other casino groups (such as JPF for example) gave their players ample notice before IP banning them, thus giving them the opportunity to play out loyalty pts/pending bonuses, etc.

MGS and Casinos,

QUIT LYING AND BLAMING EACH OTHER

IF accounts are closed, pay ALL MONIES owed, INCLUDING anything that has been earned, but happens to sit in a separate partition, such as loyalty points. BONUSES given in good faith, and accepted by players, should be paid out in normal circumstances - it is not the PLAYER'S fault they were offered something, and were locked out the following week, or even day.

As far as I can see, American players are being LIED to as to what is REALLY going on, and who knew what & when, and whose hands were tied or not by decisions made by the other party.

A proper investigation is needed into cases such as Intertops, to determine whether they INTENTIONALLY manipulated the developing situation in order to prevent US players from moving comps into their main balance, and play out any remaining WR to encash existing bonus credits (or leave them be and accept return of cash).

Jackpot Factory are now beginning to contradict themselves too. On the one hand, all are agreed that NEW registrations from the US will cease, but EXISTING players can continue.

Having said this, only a couple of days later the screw turns again, ever tightening.

On Wednesday all Flash and progressive play will be blocked for US players. This includes:
Progressives in Viper
Flash play as guest / Real / demo by US players, based on IP. This includes the Flash links Brightshare provides to affiliates
Play for fun only fun casinos won’t be blocked

Don't even TRY to convince us this is "business as usual" for EXISTING US players, it is removal of over HALF the existing facility, and December 1st (the rumour) is looking more like FACT, and may even be optimistic.

I would not be surprised if after FLASH is disabled, and then progressives, that EXISTING US players will then be told that access to the remains of the VIPER download casino will be blocked, and that they need to withdraw any funds etc (altyhough I expect some, like intertops, will perform a "midnight drop" on these players, preventing them getting out their comps, bonuses, and even completing any outstanding MPV tournaments they have entered).

MGS US players might as well throw in the towel now, and get out WITH any comps, bonuses, etc, and avoiding the mass evacuation that will no doubt hold up withdrawals, and look at what develops in the market over Christmas, by which time it should be clearer as to what other operators, such as RTG and Rival, are going to do. Come January, and a new president fully installed, the focus should change, and UIGEA regulations, flawed or not, will probably receive no further attention.

US players must remember that this situation is developing similarly to the fiasco surrounding Neteller, who tried to reassure players that their funds were safe, and it was pretty much "business as usual". Overnight it changed, but Neteller lied from on high that they were actually PROCESSING the repatriation of funds, while in fact they were doing nothing of the sort pending a lengthly trading process with the DoJ for the release of 2 hostages

Cryptologic was the same, Saturday - US players were told that they could no longer claim the monthly bonus, but were reassured that other than this, they could deposit, play, and claim any other promotion. Monday came, and their accounts were frozen, comps and bonuses confiscated, and they were then told that repatriation of their funds would NOT be the quick process it normally was through the cashier, but that they would have to engage in a lengthy process that was predicted to take around a month to get their deposits and available winnings returned. Better to have told the truth on Saturday, and released the REAL reason behind the sudden pulling of the monthly bonuses, such that Sunday could have been spent completing WR and making a cashier withdrawal (overnight?), before uninstalling the casino.

With this background, it is unlikely to be much different with MGS. Their attitude seems to be to milk every last drop from existing US players before they are FORCED out (rather than telling them now and losing the rest of November's profits), even though behind the scenes it seems that they have ALREADY reached a collective agreement with MGS to pull the casinos for ALL US players some time before Christmas.
One sign that it may be coming would be a distinct absence of any Thanksgiving related promotions, given this is on November 27th (and promos usually run through the weekend afterwards). If any MG casinos DOES run one, US players should get it done, milked for value, and balances withdrawn by the end of Sunday, so that they will NOT be caught off guard if they find EVERYTHING locked on the Monday.

Nothing seems to have come of attempts to get the Intertops rep to comment as to WHY US players were denied notice so they could redeem comps and play off bonuses (still "on the road"?), while MGS HQ is stating to the press it was nothing to do with them, but entirely a commercial decision down to the operator, Intertops in this case. Evidence is that MOST MG groups have NOT yet blocked existing US players, and many have given notice of intent to block only those in 14 banned states from Yesterday, and this at least allowed the weekend for the claiming of comps, bonuses etc, & making a cashier withdrawal.

Time will tell whether my take on the situation is correct, close, or way off

[brianzz]

Looks like this will be a blessing for rogue operations from RTG, Rival and these other shady operations that have popped up in the last week or so.

I've slowly started asking my MG casino accounts to be locked, one operator in particular I commented to that the playtime and win rate were horrific at best, their reply was it was my own fault, I was playing the wrong games I'll gladly leave those 2 accounts locked.

[Webzcas]

Don't even TRY to convince us this is "business as usual" for EXISTING US players, it is removal of over HALF the existing facility, and December 1st (the rumour) is looking more like FACT, and may even be optimistic.

Correct. It is only logical that by stopping new signups from the US, that the next step will indeed be blocking the existing US Player Base. The way forward would be to open to all of us affected, players and affiliates alike.

I really do hope the rumour concerning December 1st turns out to be unfounded. But I am not holding my breath.