JF is closing off the US to NEW registrations

[Pinababy69]

Just to play Devil's Advocate here (Spear, where are you?)....Rob, do you think they would tell you NOW, if they were going to shut off the U.S. players two weeks, or a month from now? Forthrightness does not seem to be one of the attibrutes of too many of these casinos lately. Just the other side of the coin is all. And where is the Fortune Lounge rep? And David for that matter? To put it in print here that they have NO intentions of dropping U.S. players anytime soon.

EDIT: I knew I forgot something, lol. Rob, can you check your download software at one of the FL casinos and let us know if you can access any Progressive games? And also check your account at any of the FL flash casinos?

 

[RobWin]

Just to play Devil's Advocate here (Spear, where are you?)....Rob, do you think they would tell you NOW, if they were going to shut off the U.S. players two weeks, or a month from now? Forthrightness does not seem to be one of the attibrutes of too many of these casinos lately. Just the other side of the coin is all. And where is the Fortune Lounge rep? And David for that matter? To put it in print here that they have NO intentions of dropping U.S. players anytime soon.

EDIT: I knew I forgot something, lol. Rob, can you check your download software at one of the FL casinos and let us know if you can access any Progressive games? And also check your account at any of the FL flash casinos?

Yea, I just did that a few minutes ago and I am still good to go...I can still access it all...like I said, I must be that special type of Fish that they want to keep !!

 

[jas2587]

I just logged into River Belle
an played Tunzamunni n/p

played at Royal Vegas
last night did a nice cashout
sooo we will see

Cindy

 

[cynthial]

From Fortune Lounge Group today.
So they are still cranking out the US Player enticements.


Dear Cynthia,

It has been some time since you last played with us, but if you play this week, well reward you with a 70% bonus.

At 7Sultans the fun never stops!

* This 70% bonus applies to the sum of all your deposits up to $100 made between November 12, 2008 - November 17, 2008, (23:59 EST).

* Make your deposit and we'll credit your account within 4 hours.

* It's your choice whether you use your bonus on one Fortune Lounge account or split it up between your Fortune Lounge accounts.

 

[sdaddy]

Yea, I just did that a few minutes ago and I am still good to go...I can still access it all...like I said, I must be that special type of Fish that they want to keep !!

I'm thinking the same thing: that perhaps some valued players from the U.S. will keep access to progressive games. At three different MG groups where I'm a VIP, I haven't seen any change yet.

 

[cynthial]

And it continues.......




Update Regarding Flash Casino
and Progressive Games
Dear Cynthia ,

This is David Brickman, VP Player Affairs for the Jackpot Factory Casino Group. Yesterday you received an email informing you that our Flash Instant Play Casino and progressive jackpot games would no longer be available for our U.S. customers. I am happy to inform you that the decision to implement this change has been delayed until further notice.
I sincerely apologize for the premature notification but it was simply our intention to keep you informed of imminent changes rather than have you find out after the fact.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

All the best,

David Brickman
Vice President of Player Affairs

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

Jackpot Factory Casino Group

 

[RobWin]

And it continues.......




Update Regarding Flash Casino
and Progressive Games
Dear Cynthia ,

This is David Brickman, VP Player Affairs for the Jackpot Factory Casino Group. Yesterday you received an email informing you that our Flash Instant Play Casino and progressive jackpot games would no longer be available for our U.S. customers. I am happy to inform you that the decision to implement this change has been delayed until further notice.
I sincerely apologize for the premature notification but it was simply our intention to keep you informed of imminent changes rather than have you find out after the fact.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

All the best,

David Brickman
Vice President of Player Affairs

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

Jackpot Factory Casino Group

It basically sounds to me like the JFG can not make up their minds as to which route or what recourse they actually want to take regarding banning US players !!

 

[catrina m]

I just got this email:



Update Regarding Flash Casino
and Progressive Games
Dear Catrina ,

This is David Brickman, VP Player Affairs for the Jackpot Factory Casino Group. Yesterday you received an email informing you that our Flash Instant Play Casino and progressive jackpot games would no longer be available for our U.S. customers. I am happy to inform you that the decision to implement this change has been delayed until further notice.

I sincerely apologize for the premature notification but it was simply our intention to keep you informed of imminent changes rather than have you find out after the fact.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

All the best,

David Brickman
Vice President of Player Affairs

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

Jackpot Factory Casino Group

 

[babs7262]

You Know

I hate to sound harsh but ANYONE from the USA that decides to stick with an MG casino is nuts. I dont care if they offer $1000 no WR no max cashout bonuses. Mine are all still closed and to tell you the truth, It was the best thing I ever did besides closing my RTG's (except for one)

Where is the money for MG's gonna come from: Im not a stock market analyst and not counting this recent fall in the market, I see a huge fan base coming from Asia more than ever before, JMO. China is the next rising star in the future , even more than Japan and the healthier they get the more disposabe income they will have.

 

[brianzz]

I guess MG told them they couldn't do it right now so they'd make it appear as if they were delaying it

 

[catrina m]

In my opinion any US player that deposits in MG right now is just donating to a worthless cause.

Give it to one of Bryans list of charitys.

 

[jetset]

And it continues.......




Update Regarding Flash Casino
and Progressive Games
Dear Cynthia ,

This is David Brickman, VP Player Affairs for the Jackpot Factory Casino Group. Yesterday you received an email informing you that our Flash Instant Play Casino and progressive jackpot games would no longer be available for our U.S. customers. I am happy to inform you that the decision to implement this change has been delayed until further notice.
I sincerely apologize for the premature notification but it was simply our intention to keep you informed of imminent changes rather than have you find out after the fact.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

All the best,

David Brickman
Vice President of Player Affairs

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

Jackpot Factory Casino Group

This is absolutely incredible (and damned reprehensible, not to mention irresponsible!)

What are these guys all trying to do - create
confusion?

This has to be one of the worst bugger's muddles I've seen - noone seems to know WTF they're doing from day to day, let alone on a long term, professional plan.

 

[Jackpot Factory]

Update from David Brickman at the Jackpot Factory

Hi everyone,

I would like to clarify some issues here. We decided to close of US players from Flash and Progressive game-play. It was scheduled for yesterday and as such we wanted to give our players advance notification. However, due to technical issues in our coordination with MGS this closure was unable to occur. Remember that we can make decisions but its up to our software provider to implement a proper solution.

We deliberated regarding to give advance notification knowing full well that with technical implementations things can always go wrong. I am proud to admit it was MY decision to send the notification because I firmly believe in keeping players informed as much as possible about what is going on. At the time the email was sent the closure was still a go. The situation with JF regarding the US really should not be terribly confusing. We ARE going to close off instant play and progressives in the near future but we are still open and will remain open for existing US customers on the download VIPER casino.

I posted this question on my

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

and I will leave it for this forum to address. Do you prefer transparency even if a situation isnt 100% definite, or would you prefer we wait to tell players about changes that have just occurred immediately after they are implemented but with no advance notification. I will say it very bluntly you cant have both. There are many technical issues coordinating with our software provider that sometimes things dont go on schedule. Would love to hear some comments on this issue.

All the best,


David Brickman
VP Player Affairs
Jackpot Factory Casino Group

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

 

[RobWin]

Hi everyone,

I would like to clarify some issues here. We decided to close of US players from Flash and Progressive game-play. It was scheduled for yesterday and as such we wanted to give our players advance notification. However, due to technical issues in our coordination with MGS this closure was unable to occur. Remember that we can make decisions but its up to our software provider to implement a proper solution.

We deliberated regarding to give advance notification knowing full well that with technical implementations things can always go wrong. I am proud to admit it was MY decision to send the notification because I firmly believe in keeping players informed as much as possible about what is going on. At the time the email was sent the closure was still a go. The situation with JF regarding the US really should not be terribly confusing. We ARE going to close off instant play and progressives in the near future but we are still open and will remain open for existing US customers on the download VIPER casino.

I posted this question on my

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

and I will leave it for this forum to address. Do you prefer transparency even if a situation isnt 100% definite, or would you prefer we wait to tell players about changes that have just occurred immediately after they are implemented but with no advance notification. I will say it very bluntly you cant have both. There are many technical issues coordinating with our software provider that sometimes things dont go on schedule. Would love to hear some comments on this issue.

All the best,


David Brickman
VP Player Affairs
Jackpot Factory Casino Group

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

First I would like to commend you for taking part here in the forum as a casino rep/manager and also thank you for trying to keep us as players informed...

I believe that we as customers would always prefer transparency David but in the same regard accuracy in reporting the facts and in that I mean that maybe the wording of your posts could have been just a little clearer regarding this situation...eg: "If all goes as planned with our software provider all US accounts will no longer be able to play our instant play and progressive games after Wednesday, etc."

Also, I would like to know why that we as US customers will still be able to play at the casino but not be able to play the instant play and progressive games ?? This does not even start to make any sense...why can we play all games other than progressives and instant play ?? I don't recall you commenting on this anywhere...

 

[jetset]

The first comment that comes to mind is "better coordinate your efforts"!

As I have said before, David, I commend your efforts to keep players informed here - you're about the only licensee guy that takes the trouble to do it and I believe it is genuinely appreciated.

I'm guessing your question above is rhetorical, because obviously everyone would like to get as much heads up notice as possible.

Unfortunately, if that isn't matched with an appropriate level of coordination between operator and software provider, it's going to result in frustration and occasionally harsh comment.

And you have to admit the stop-and-go stuff looks bad.

I think the frustration is directed not so much at you and your employers as the strangely disjointed and uncertain manner in which these US moves are being presented, which in the wider picture sense is confusing to those not part of the grand plan - assuming there is a grand plan somewhere and not a slew of operators all trying to do their own uncoordinated thing!

That, and the lack of an indication of what the future might hold for US players is frustrating the hell out of everyone...and imo scaring US players away for fear they will be caught short by a sudden closure.

Hang in and work on that coordination - it's nothing personal LOL!

 

[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.