JF is closing off the US to NEW registrations

[pevangel]

hi all

i just received this in my email.

We would like to inform you that as of Wednesday, November 12th, our Flash "Instant Play" casinos and progressive jackpot games will no longer be accessible to Jackpot Factory players in the United States.


The good news is you're free to play on our Viper download software using your current account number,
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If you have any questions our customer support team is standing by 24/7 to assist you. Feel free to contact us anytime by email or call us toll-free at 1-866-251-2236.

Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you soon at All Slots Casino.

Best regards,
Shelley Simmons
All Slots Casino
A Jackpot Factory Casino


pevangel

[lots0]

Well according to Doyle's Room the decision to pull out of the US was MicroGaming's decision and to back that up they say they are looking for a new software provider... So they can continue to take US players.

Dear Affiliate Partner,

DoylesRoom.com has been informed by its software provider that effective Monday November 10th, 2008; they will no longer be accepting any new players from the United States of America. Existing players from the USA will not be affected by this and will be able to continue playing; therefore, all affiliate revenue generated by these players will be honored. This measure does not affect affiliates located in the USA.

Based on the above, DoylesRoom.com has decided to continue its marketing efforts in the USA and the rest of the world, and to this end we are quickly working towards migrating to a new software platform that will support our efforts to provide security and stability to all USA players and affiliates. Once we migrate to this new platform, our retention department will contact all those new players that tried to join during this transition and help them access the account they attempted to create and by doing so, all affiliate tracking codes will be still attached to each players’ account.

Currently, we are negotiating with multiple software providers. As soon as a decision is made, we will send you another email with all the details.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact your personal affiliate account manager or simply send us an email to affiliates@dbpn.com



Affiliate Program Staff
Doyle Brunson Poker Network

I also know from some other 'contacts' I have that some of the other operators are very unhappy about this decision by MicroGaming.

Sounds to me like that MG spokesman was blowing smoke up infopowa's reporter's rear end...

[vinylweatherman]

Originally Posted by lots0

Well according to Doyle's Room the decision to pull out of the US was MicroGaming's decision and to back that up they say they are looking for a new software provider... So they can continue to take US players.



I also know from some other 'contacts' I have that some of the other operators are very unhappy about this decision by MicroGaming.

Sounds to me like that MG spokesman was blowing smoke up infopowa's reporter's rear end...

Didn't find it's way up MINE though - I would make a gnat jealous

Even now, it gets murkier. Doyle's room have DIRECTLY contradicted the MGS spokesperson about it being "up to the individual licensee" as to whether they extend the ban to the whole USA, or to existing players.

JF also send out mixed messages. On the one hand, they are pulling the Flash casinos for EXISTING players, yet go on to say they can download and play with the Viper version. WTF is the difference, whether Flash or Viper, it is still online gambling, so where is the logic.

Well, there is none, if you take the statement at face value, but if you look at it as a slow pullout, it makes sense to make progress bit by bit rather than have a mad rush for the exit.

Progressives being blocked has some logic, the potential for being unable to pay such sums "under the radar" to US players, so why let them play with little chance of being able to receive payment.

Blocking FLASH games, but not what is, in effect, the SAME game under Viper makes no obvious sense, apart from the above, or just maybe they are TESTING something to do with blocking players based on location using the less used FLASH casinos, but leaving Viper out of it UNTIL they have to implement something that blocks players by location, and want it to work well without teething problems and work-arounds.

The next logical thing to block for US players would be the MPV tournaments, or would tests of this blocking already be under way, and be WHY many had so much trouble accessing them THIS weekend

MPV events can run over many days, if not weeks, and it could be misleading to allow US players to enter, but with no chance of being able to play in any "grand final" events.

Next, US players will be mass bonus banned (which means, run to the exit NOW!), and this will be followed by the total exclusion of even EXISTING US players by some automated means, as well as locking accounts of those known to be in the US. MGS will then join Crypto & Playtech as a software with an exclusion policy for the US dictated at supplier level.

US players might as well develop a taste for RTG now, there is at least Rushmore and Cherry Red if the Club USA and King Solomon's are not to your liking. Based in Costa Rica, there is no real pressure that can be put upon RTG to ban US players at the software supplier level. RTG are not even willing to vet their licensees, let alone obey US laws. Unless the US strikes a deal with Costa Rica, or starts another war there, the position is unlikely to change.

[kauphy]

i got the same e-mail. today i guess soon they will all be pulling out.

[brianzz]

MGS pulling out of the US might be the best thing that's happened to any of us in years.. think of all the money we'll be saving chasing free spin bonuses.

[Mousey]

More hearsay (but what else do we have?) from an affiliate on another board: She posted that her affiliate program notified her that Grand Prive group (it figures!) will be dumping/blocking all USA players Dec 1.

Use your loyalty points up, finish up any tourneys/promos/bonuses.... grab your money and get the hell out.

Real nice of GP to 'forget' to inform the PLAYERS (in my dreams!).

[mercy]

Originally Posted by Mousey

More hearsay (but what else do we have?) from an affiliate on another board: She posted that her affiliate program notified her that Grand Prive group (it figures!) will be dumping/blocking all USA players Dec 1.

Use your loyalty points up, finish up any tourneys/promos/bonuses.... grab your money and get the hell out.

Real nice of GP to 'forget' to inform the PLAYERS (in my dreams!).

Hey Mouse, does that include those that already have an account?

[Pinababy69]

It sounds like it Mercy. First it was IP blocking of the banned states, then IP blocking of all states bordering Kentucky. Yesterday no new U.S. registrations at any MG casino. Wednesday no more Progressive games or Flash casino or U.S. players. There's nothing left to do but block U.S. players completely, and December 1st is the date that's been tossed about. Seeing as new account registrations, and partial game blocking will have already happened....that would mean that the December 1st date is for the final step of blocking ALL accounts.

Just as VWM said guys, I'm pretty sure you may as well throw in the towel. It's better than waking up one day with money tied up in limbo, because they gave you NO warning. Play out your loyalty pts, unused bonuses and don't leave any balance sitting there.

Besides the Intertops thing this time, let's not forget the Casino Action debacle a while back. No warning....just oh, they've closed up shop. Even though MANY people knew about it, no one felt so inclined to let the players know.

[Mousey]

Originally Posted by mercy

Hey Mouse, does that include those that already have an account?

Unless they change their minds, Grand Prive will block ALL USA players Dec. 1. And from what I'm reading, they're not the only casinos intending to block us... but I can't find a list, I can't find any clear information and it's driving me crazy.

Come on affiliates, help us players out here....

[jetset]

The December 1st date is not a rumour, guys - that has already been given to affiliates by certain affiliate programs - Grand Prive and Fortune Lounge among them....I was sent a copy of the email from Grand Prive which I posted earlier - here are the relevant details for your convenience:

QUOTE

Overly cautious it probably is and certainly ill-timed with traditionally the busiest time of the year heading our way – but this, unfortunately, is where the road ends regarding all US-based business. Clearly this development makes operating in the United States very difficult for us and, as such, Grand Privé Affiliates will close our US operations on 1 December 2008, with our final commission payment (for November’s play) for all American players marking the closing of this chapter in the United States book.

We thank you for your support and I would like to encourage you to join us as we push hard into all countries outside the US (Canada and Europe especially). We are certainly keen to continue our business relationship with you and look forward to doing great things in the future.

UNQUOTE

In my view, the player is the customer of the operator, on whom there is therefore a clear obligation to act in a responsible and professional manner if an exit is planned.

That to me includes telling players what the future holds, putting in place a reasonable timeline and communications service and setting up an exit plan that allows the player to monetise and withdraw all benefits currently accrued.

That opinion is voiced under my personal assessment that these moves do herald individual retreats from the US market by at least some of the MGS powered groups. The only ones I know about at present are Grand Prive and Fortune Lounge, but it looks as if there may be others with these new developments advised by Pinababy above.

I think she is probably right in her speculation on the cause of the progressives switch-off, but I can't figure out why a Flash game switch-off is being contemplated.

I think all MGS powered groups need to consider their positions regarding the United States business and advise their players of their intentions as soon as they can to avoid any misunderstandings.

At present the situation remains confusing, mainly because individual licensees are not communicating their decisions on whether they are in or out of the US market to their customers - the players - and there seems to be no complete plan for affiliates either.

The message boards are yet again proving to be a valuable early warning system for players in my view.

The operators seem more concerned with keeping their affiliates in the picture than in liasing with their customers, and in the absence of player communications I therefore hope that affiliates will keep coming in here and posting the latest information they have been sent by the programs.