VPL Pull Out Of US

[Simmo!]

Not sure if this has been logged, but the Microgaming group Vegas Partner Lounge issued this statement today:

Regrettably we cannot accept any new US players at any of the Vegas Partner gaming locations. And, due to ever-stringent legislation in the United States we cannot process any Credit Card transactions from players residing in the US.

 

[The Dude]

Vegas Partners pulling out of US

Regrettably we cannot accept any new US players at any of the Vegas Partner gaming locations. And, due to ever-stringent legislation in the United States we cannot process any Credit Card transactions from players residing in the US.

US players lose another outstanding group. Looks like it's gonna be slim pickin's coming soon.

 

[The Dude]

Amazing how we posted at about the same time

Two great minds think alike.

 

[Professor]

I just received the notice also. This is terrible news.

Also affiliates are really in trouble too, see this part:

Welcome back to the Vegas Partner Newsletter.


AFFILIATE PAYMENTS

Please note that we can no longer make Affiliate payments using Check or ACH. Please contact us to make alternative arrangements.

 

[Simmo!]

I just received the notice also. This is terrible news.

It certainly isn't good - what will be interesting is whether its the tip of the iceberg following Integrity's Microgaming post the other day.

 

[Professor]

I heard similar rumors at CAPEuro but as was pointed out some people said Micro was pulling and some said they werent so I gathered there was no consensus view.

If this is the tip of an Iceberg then the US affiliates are onboard a Virtual Titantic that is heading for that rock at full speed.

I couldnt imagine a worse scenario for our industry.

 

[The Dude]

It certainly isn't good - what will be interesting is whether its the tip of the iceberg following Integrity's Microgaming post the other day.

There is a domino effect "in effect" at the moment. I'm sure more will follow.

Harrahs and co. need to have a clear playing field before they jump into the market

 

[The Dude]

I heard similar rumors at CAPEuro but as was pointed out some people said Micro was pulling and some said they werent so I gathered there was no consensus view.

I'm pretty sure this is up to the individual operator; instead of a massive withdrawal, it will be piecemeal.

 

[bdangel]

I have a question....if you have an acct is it still good at their casinos or is this for new players only? thanks

 

[Wagerjunction]

Pulling out

I am sure that there are reasons for their action as there was in ours but i agree with the Prof - this is the ultimate nightmare situation for US affs .

We pulled out due to an increasingly hostile legal climate and there seems to be no let up . How the hell do i pay all of the good people that worked for me . It really is most annoying and i can tell you that when Harrahs have cleared the field and its legal again i am going to be hitting them with everything i have

Damn im pissed

Oh well now thats off my chest - ill get back to work

 

[Simmo!]

I have a question....if you have an acct is it still good at their casinos or is this for new players only? thanks

The indication is that it is for accepting new players only at this stage.

 

[The Dude]

The indication is that it is for accepting new players only at this stage.

Roger that. But me-thinks that an all-out ban is probably in the near future. Just a guess. VPL (nor anyone else) hasn't mentioned anything to me yet.

 

[bdangel]

yes I think a total ban is looming on the horizon. Just a matter of time. Oh well so much for living in this great free land of ours!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mousey]

I received no notice from them. (Though it doesn't surprise me as Hotmail lets crap spam through but blocks the gambling related emails that I want.)

For players like me who can't keep up with which casinos are in which group, here's the VPL casinos copied from the contact list.

Cinema Casino
Crazy Vegas Casino
Maple Casino
Sun Vegas Casino
777 Dragon
Arthurian Casino
Casino US
Casino UK
Crazy Online Poker Room

 

[Simmo!]

Update

Update from VPL:

This week we announced that it is with great regret that we can no longer accept any new US players at the Vegas Partner brands. The reason for this is that it has become impossible for the online casinos we represent to pay out US players. Therefore, the only honorable option was to deny play to new players residing in the US and to block credit card purchases. This has been due to the extremely strict legislation recently passed in the US. Unless a solution is found, this decision will unfortunately stand.

 

[winbig]

Update from VPL:

Huh????

It's impossible for them to PAY USA players, but yet they'll still retain current USA players?

That's the most F'd up statement I've ever heard. If they can't pay players from the USA, then they need to ban ALL USA players, not just new ones. They're basically saying that if you're from the USA and can find a way to deposit, that's fine. If you try to withdraw, we can't pay you.

Besides, It's NOT impossible to pay USA players. Have they ever heard of a check &/or Western Union?

Why block credit card purchases? Netspend and others still work just fine.

They're SCARED and just don't want to admit it.

 

[Rollo]

I guess I don't understand the logic of banning new players but not current ones if withdrawing funds is the issue... how is it that current players that win (or just want out) get their funds?

I assume that the expectation is that, eventually, players will keep playing until they lose all and there will be little if anything to pay out... any other theories?

 

[Mousey]

The reason for this is that it has become impossible for the online casinos we represent to pay out US players. Therefore, the only honorable option was to deny play to new players residing in the US and to block credit card purchases.

Let me get this straight... They can't pay any US players, so they block new sign ups and credit card purchases. Any US players who have money in their VPL casino accounts are screwed. Does that about sum it up?

 

[winbig]

Let me get this straight... They can't pay any US players, so they block new sign ups and credit card purchases. Any US players who have money in their VPL casino accounts are screwed. Does that about sum it up?

Didn't I just say that....?

 

[Mousey]

Didn't I just say that....?

Yep, I'm just trying to get my tiny brain around this... and still amazed that they're not blocking US players entirely -- yet. We can't deposit and we can't withdraw.

 

[Webzcas]

Harrahs and co. need to have a clear playing field before they jump into the market

Didn't a Vegas Casino try to enter the online market a few years ago, with offices for Customer Service based in Mayfair London of all places? I think it was the MGM Grand, but someone more in the know will be able to clarify this.

Anyhow it didn't last long.

It is obvious the likes of Harrahs et al are rubbing their hands, trying to get rid of established casinos and poker rooms such as Party. Unfortunately for the Vegas big boys, as Party have started to show, they are cash rich, have the experience of running a successful online operation and are starting to flex their financial muscles by the way of acquisitions.

I still firmly believe that long term, what we are all facing in the light of the legislation passed by the neo cons in power in Washington, will leave them all with egg on their face and hopefully out of power come 2008.

The industry will adapt and face head on these challenges. Fly by night clip joint operations will go out of business as a result, which is good for the player and the industry. Consolidation and acquisitions will become more frequent. This leaving a much stronger and cleaner reputable industry as a result.

Once the powers that be in Washington, realise that prohibition and infringement of individuals free choice and will does not work, online gambling will finally be regulated in the US. Now that is a goal which the industry so needs and for us ( The Industry and players alike ) to get there, it is worth riding out these hard times that we all face IMO.

 

[GrandMaster]

Didn't a Vegas Casino try to enter the online market a few years ago, with offices for Customer Service based in Mayfair London of all places? I think it was the MGM Grand, but someone more in the know will be able to clarify this.

I am not sure about CS in Mayfair, but there certainly was a Wagerworks casino run by MGM Mirage if I remember correctly, and Kerzner also had a Boss Media casino, atlantiscasino.com, for a short while.

 

[jas2587]

Crazy Vegas Bingo

well I got my cash from them today was quite speedy considering they 1st said pay by check then they changed it to click2pay
now I have $1400 in Click2pay and they don't allow cashout's unless you have $1500 in there
but I have 2 cashout's pending
so cross your fingers that click2pay isnt just saying $1500 to keep people from cashing out


Cindy
Good Luck to all

 

[RobWin]

There is a domino effect "in effect" at the moment. I'm sure more will follow.

Harrahs and co. need to have a clear playing field before they jump into the market

You summarized it pretty well with that statement Bryan.

With Harrah's (HET) being the worlds largest Casino Entertainment Co.and relating to Casinos the same as Microsoft relates to Software that is exactly what they are trying to do.

If Harrah's has any competition at all in the online industry once they go live it will not be from the various groups but from Microgaming itself all grouped back together only. As the way it looks now Harrah's will be backing IGT and Bally Manufacturing for its gaming servers.

Looks like Microgaming needs to get their act together and fast based on what I have seen from my Harrah's contact as far as worldwide marketing aspects go.

Harrah's absolutely has one massive launch aimed for later this year or by the spring of next year and this plan based on what I have been told has already been in the works for about two to three years now, this time looks like they are serious and plan on becoming the worlds largest "Online Entertainment Co." too.

Harrah's has always been into big time branding as their forte'. They already are looking at various product branding for site enhancements. Affiliates like you guys here could still be able to work in a similar way as Junket Affiliates work for land based casinos now.

P.S. Not looking to argue with anyone about whether this is all true or not, just relaying what has been told to me by a very high level exec. at Harrah's that I have know for years now and see on occasion at various functions and stockholder meetings.