Casinos closing and No US players

[greedygirl]

You can add the Palace group, but I talked to Betfred and they knew nothing about it, they are open.

Unless I've completely lost it, my understanding is that Palace Group are taking a "wait and see" (sensible) approach:

Fairground Gaming Holdings plc

Statement regarding US legislation developments

The Board of Fairground Gaming Holdings plc (Fairground) makes the following statement in light of the passing by the United States Congress on 30 September 2006, of The Safe Port Act, which included the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (the Act).

Fairground notes the developments in the USA and is seeking clarity on the full implications of the Act. If so advised, the board will suspend participation by US based customers in activities covered by the legislation. In the six months to 30 June 2006, revenues from US players amounted to approximately 70 per cent of the Groups net gaming revenues.

Whilst continuing to monitor the situation, Fairground intends to proceed with appropriate caution in evaluating opportunities for further geographical diversification.

Nowhere does it say US players have been cut off at this point.

 

[spearmaster]

Agree with GreedyGirl.

She's pointing out exactly what I pointed out in another thread - that they are *suspending* participation until they receive full clarity on the implications of the new legislation.

None of these groups has said "Bye-bye, see ya later, alligator, thanks for the good times" or anything remotely close to it.

Furthermore, the media is magnifying the problem by calling the legislation "a ban" or "making online gambling illegal" when in fact the legislation only prohibits US financial institutions from transferring funds to online gambling sites.

It's still early days yet - not only has Dubya not yet signed (even if that is a foregone conclusion) - there's 270 days in which financial institutions must be given instructions on how to comply with this new legislation - and consequently, 270 days in which the operators have time to assess the full impact and implications of the new legislation.

 

[Simmo!]

You can add the Palace group, but I talked to Betfred and they knew nothing about it, they are open.

BetFred have never taken US players have they?

It's still early days yet - not only has Dubya not yet signed (even if that is a foregone conclusion) - there's 270 days in which financial institutions must be given instructions on how to comply with this new legislation - and consequently, 270 days in which the operators have time to assess the full impact and implications of the new legislation.

I'm a tad confused here. Just to clarify, when the Boss signs the paper, it becomes law with immediate effect doesn't it? the 270 days thing is purely to put the mechanisms in to track, implicate and comply? Am I right?

 

[Webzcas]

BetFred have never taken US players have they?

I do not believe so, no.

As for the Palace Group, I spoke on the phone with Tom Furber at Wagershare yesterday and he confirmed that the Palace Group have as of yet not taken a decision. They are still therefore accepting US Players at this moment in time.

 

[Mousey]

I do not believe so, no.

As for the Palace Group, I spoke on the phone with Tom Furber at Wagershare yesterday and he confirmed that the Palace Group have as of yet not taken a decision. They are still therefore accepting US Players at this moment in time.

I played at Mummy's gold (part of Palace Group) last night. Had a nice long (for me) play on slots. Came out ahead, actually cleared my bonus, and cashed out $150 to NETeller. I really hated to cash out as the slots were still friendly, but I know me, if I'd left it in there, I'd have lost it all this morning.

I figure I'll keep moving money between NEteller and the casinos just like always till someone shuts all the doors on me. Then I'll ask for whatever money is out there to be sent to me via check.

 

[The Dude]

I would appreciate it if members post information that is factual and not hearsay concerning "bannings" of US players. If a casino makes a statement that they have discontinued taking US players - please post the statement here. Thanks!

 

[paul02085]

I played at BetFred's poker room so it is/was ok for US players a few months ago. Dont know about now.

I feel like a red headed danish stepchild these days.

 

[paul1]

Hey check this link. I used to set this as my home page in my browser. I just thought their site was down for a couple days. Then I actually looked at it. Oh brother!

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This sux.

 

[silcnlayc]

SlotCharts is currently unavailable
This site has been temporarily disabled due to the changing legal situation in the US.

Once the ramifications of the new legislation are fully understood, I hope to be able to return this site to service.

Please accept my apologies for the actions of our idiotic government officials.

geezes....

 

[Westland Bowl]

BetFred have never taken US players have they?

They've always taken US players. They've taken too much of my money too!

I'm a tad confused here. Just to clarify, when the Boss signs the paper, it becomes law with immediate effect doesn't it? the 270 days thing is purely to put the mechanisms in to track, implicate and comply? Am I right?

It takes effect July 2007. Spearmaster posted this earlier in this or some other thread Old / Expired Link or the same thing in a more readable format

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I believe everyone should read Professor Rose's analysis in the links I just provided.

 

[dominique]

BetFred have never taken US players have they?

They sure do in casino and poker, but not sports.

The casino rewards group is going to accept players but restricting some US states.

The Golden reef etc group is taking US players.

I have more but do not want to jump the gun until official anouncements are out, like I did with the palace group. My apologies there.

 

[ciraman]

Just received this from BetFred:

Dear XXXXX,

The account information that you have registered with Betfred lists you as residing in the United States of America.

Please be advised that, following the recent legislation, Betfred has regretfully had to take the decision not to accept any business through our website or call centre from any US citizen.

All Betfred accounts which we believe originate in the USA will be closed with immediate effect.

If you currently have funds with Betfred, we would be grateful if you would contact our Accounts department (accounts@betfred.com) to arrange for the balance to be repaid. Should you have any questions you can also contact our customer service team on 1-800 780 9364.

On behalf of Betfred, we would like to apologise for this inconvenience and thank you for your previous custom.

Kind regards

The Betfred Customer Service Team.

 

[Simmo!]

They've always taken US players. They've taken too much of my money too!

Not any more then it seems (predictably)

Although we knew about Crypto, here's some clarification from Peak. (See last paragraph too)

I'm sure you're aware of the recent developments in US online
gaming industry. In short, the US government has passed a law
that would prohibit banks, credit card companies, and other
financial institutions from processing gambling funds. This
controversial act was attached to a popular and completely
unrelated bill regarding Port Security early Saturday morning.
In this way, the act was passed because representatives were more
concerned with the major bill being made law and knew only in the
final minutes of the attachment.

It does not make it illegal for US citizens to play online, however
drastically affects your ability to enjoy your favorite poker and
casino games by making it difficult to send and receive your
deposits and winnings.

In light of these events, our software and ECash provider for
Sunpoker.com, The Sands (www.cscasino.com) and Omni Casino,
CryptoLogic and ECashDirect, have made the decision to no longer
service US registered accounts.

Consequently, all accounts with US based addresses will no longer
be able to play in the casino or poker room as of 12PM EST today
October 3rd.

Players will however be able to log into their accounts and request
a withdrawal of their available balance.

All other accounts with non US based addresses will remain
unaffected.

Currently it is unclear as to the longer term ramifications of
these events at CryptoLogic and should the position change, we
will notify you.

Our sister casino 49er Casino (

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) uses
a different provider, Real Time Gaming (RTG) who has not announced
any changes due to these new regulations.

Persons from all geographical areas are still able to register
new accounts, collect the 100% new player and other bonuses,
and continue to enjoy their favorite casino games. The preferred
deposit method is with NETeller.


www.SunPoker.com
www.OmniCasino.com
www.CSCasino.com

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

- NEW!


PS: We continue to maintain that it is your individual right to be
allowed to play online responsibly in another form you see fit. We
therefore invite you to contact your Congressman (or woman) to
express your dismay as to not only the bill itself, but as to the
underhanded way in which it was passed.

 

[Peaceful1]

I got that email too (from Peak/Omni). However, here's my question (also posted in the H.R. 4777 thread but putting it here too since its relevant and may catch other eyes to get opinions on it).

I cashed out with Intercasino, which also uses ECash. I was out of town (at a B&M casino, go figure). It was delivered yesterday and sent to my leasing office since I was not here. Question: Should this still be OK to cash? I won the money BEFORE this law came into play (not in effect yet mind you) but before all the hoopla and the email about ECash. I requested the withdrawal which was approved by ECash before this law was approved by members of Congress. I will still pick this check up and try to deposit/cash it, but if any problems arise, this raises an interesting question and perhaps "legal loopholes" because of when it was requested and when this email was sent out (more of a question on ECash's side since this is technically not a law signed off by the Pres. yet nor in effect).

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Simmo!]

I got that email too (from Peak/Omni). However, here's my question (also posted in the H.R. 4777 thread but putting it here too since its relevant and may catch other eyes to get opinions on it).

I cashed out with Intercasino, which also uses ECash. I was out of town (at a B&M casino, go figure). It was delivered yesterday and sent to my leasing office since I was not here. Question: Should this still be OK to cash? I won the money BEFORE this law came into play (not in effect yet mind you) but before all the hoopla and the email about ECash. I requested the withdrawal which was approved by ECash before this law was approved by members of Congress. I will still pick this check up and try to deposit/cash it, but if any problems arise, this raises an interesting question and perhaps "legal loopholes" because of when it was requested and when this email was sent out (more of a question on ECash's side since this is technically not a law signed off by the Pres. yet nor in effect).

Any thoughts are appreciated.

As you say it's not law yet, so should be fine. Additionally, it sounds like the banks won't have the mechanisms in place to check it anway. And finally, the concensus appears to be that checks cashed BY casinos are the problem, not FROM casinos (or eCash providers). Its "funding" of online gambling that seems to be the key phrase it would appear.

 

[Peaceful1]

Players will however be able to log into their accounts and request
a withdrawal of their available balance.

Sorry.. I guess this answers my own question. Guess I didn't think about it since it wasn't a withdrawal requested as a result of this thing with Frist..but just a normal happy cashout, which was my first and last because of this whole thing

 

[mgibson99]

I am SO bummed. I have been playing almost exclusively at Omni for years. Had a great relationship with their VIP Manager Daryl, and he always took very good care of me. Just last week he scored me a couple of tickets for the upcoming Redskins/Cowboys football game (which are currently being sold on the ticket broker sites for $250 each and up).

As a big deposit player, I don't see how I can play anywhere until this whole thing shakes out and becomes clearer. Its one thing to deposit $100 and find out you lost it because the casino froze all U.S. accounts. Its quite another to lose a $5000 deposit (which is what I had been depositing at Omni recently).

Guess I'm stuck with the B&M casinos for now. Fortunately I'm a VIP for Harrah's, so I'm set in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

 

[ryan_hartley]

INTERCASINO BONUS ANNOUCEMENT REGARDING US PLAYERS

So let me get this straight, we can still deposit and play at VIP and Intercasino but we just can no longer take a bonus

Due to the imminent passing of the Federal Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act on September 30th 2006, InterCasino are no longer accepting wagers from residents in the United States. We regret to inform you that from 11am EST on 3rd October, 2006, we will be closing all US gaming accounts.

However, please rest assured that we will give back the remaining balance to all our US players, minus any uncleared bonuses. This will be done by check in the next 3 to 4 weeks.

I would also like to explain why we stopped US players from receiving their bonuses on Sunday afternoon. We felt strongly that it would be unfair for US players to obtain a bonus only to be told they could not play two days later. It is for this reason that we felt it was the right thing to do, to stop bonus payments to players in the US and most importantly to tell all our players immediately.

We apologize for any inconvenience and express our sincere thanks for your continued support.

Yours truly,



Ryan Hartley
Casino Manager

 

[jetset]

I got that email too (from Peak/Omni). However, here's my question (also posted in the H.R. 4777 thread but putting it here too since its relevant and may catch other eyes to get opinions on it).

I cashed out with Intercasino, which also uses ECash. I was out of town (at a B&M casino, go figure). It was delivered yesterday and sent to my leasing office since I was not here. Question: Should this still be OK to cash? I won the money BEFORE this law came into play (not in effect yet mind you) but before all the hoopla and the email about ECash. I requested the withdrawal which was approved by ECash before this law was approved by members of Congress. I will still pick this check up and try to deposit/cash it, but if any problems arise, this raises an interesting question and perhaps "legal loopholes" because of when it was requested and when this email was sent out (more of a question on ECash's side since this is technically not a law signed off by the Pres. yet nor in effect).

Any thoughts are appreciated.

I agree with Simmo's assessment, Cynthia - you should be fine.

 

[Weedlayer]

Spin Palace Closure

I have just been notified that my Spin Palace account has been closed due to the recent legislation. I am so depressed and angry.

 

[spearmaster]

Hey check this link. I used to set this as my home page in my browser. I just thought their site was down for a couple days. Then I actually looked at it. Oh brother!

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

This sux.

Ouch...

I feel sorry for Slotcharts, as he's based in the US.

In the meantime, Awesome Jackpots (see my signature) is still operational, and right now I see no reason to take it down.

 

[soflat]

I have just been notified that my Spin Palace account has been closed due to the recent legislation. I am so depressed and angry.

Wow. Glad I did the withdrawal thing yesterday. Now I need to hunt down any more funds I forgot about...

 

[cipher]

BetFred have never taken US players have they?QUOTE]

Unfortunately yes. I've done very well with Fred over the years.

Have a good one.

 

[Tailgun]

Unfortunately yes. I've done very well with Fred over the years.

Have a good one.

Cipher, are there any casinos left as of this morning where you can still use a Neteller account and play as a US citizen?

What will you do if this gets worse? Stick to just B&M?

 

[The Dude]

Cipher, are there any casinos left as of this morning where you can still use a Neteller account and play as a US citizen?

What will you do if this gets worse? Stick to just B&M?

Many of the MG, RTG, and Playtech casinos are still in a "watch and wait" mode. No telling how long some of them may hang in there.