FBI seizes domains of pokerstars, full tilt, ub.. (UPDATE: FTP MONIES!!!!!11)

[bigspenda73]

so now I just have to wonder if I fucked myself by w/d'ing on Friday

[NobleTruths]

in the release it said FTP/PS had to agree to cut off Americans in order to return our funds

I tried, but still not allowed to withdraw as of 5 minutes ago.

[jyms]

It was only agreed upon and released today, you may want to give them a day to get organized and get the domains in order. They still need a processor to cut checks or move funds as well. Stars has great support and all, but I'm sure they aren't going to rush around to get every nickel removed from their sites coffers

[Donachello]

so now I just have to wonder if I fucked myself by w/d'ing on Friday

+1000

Did you get yours approved on Friday spenda? I withdrew 2/3s of my roll as soon as I heard the news (around 15:00) and was approved. Money debited from account and such.

[bigspenda73]

it's not an instant thing, FullTilt also had a press release saying there is some more work to do in order to get the funds off

[unclesteve]

edit- nm, 2 slow

[jyms]

U.S. Online Poker Players Will Get Their Money Back - Nathan Vardi - The Jungle - Forbes

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pres...reementspr.pdf

looks like you guys will get your money back

Welcome to 40 mins ago

[bigred]

so now I just have to wonder if I fucked myself by w/d'ing on Friday

I would assume you're fine since the end result is the same. But, we all know what happens when you assume...

[Keith]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[PlayToWin]

In preparing to withdraw, I discovered that I could still purchase a Stellar Reward and a Cash Bounus with my remaining fpp's. I figured I might as well trade them in now since I have no idea when Stars may let me play again.

[Alexos]

A+ statement imo

[bigspenda73]

statement is great, only mentions funds in players accounts though, I'm worried about funds in transit

[Keith]

for non-US once the funds clear ....time to redeposit?
50% reload bonus


SCOOP Reload 2011 - Poker Tournament Cash Bonus

[drmcboy]

woo hoo

[Keith]

Full Tilt and PokerStars Regain .com Domain Names and Player Money is Safe (UPDATED 8:47 a.m PDT) | PokerNews

the worrying part from that statement from full tilt point of view

"In addition, the agreement represents an important first step towards returning funds to U.S. players because it allows Full Tilt Poker to utilize its domain to facilitate the withdrawal of player funds. But, unfortunately, there remain significant practical and legal impediments to returning funds to players in the immediate future. As a result of the recent enforcement action, there exists no authorized U.S. payment channel through which to make refunds; Full Tilt Poker has no accounting of the millions of dollars of player funds that were seized by the government; and the government has not agreed to permit any of the seized player funds to be returned to the players.

Read more: Full Tilt and PokerStars Regain .com Domain Names and Player Money is Safe (UPDATED 8:47 a.m PDT) | PokerNews


this differs from stars and DOJ statments ........so were some of players funds in company accounts and not segregated as they should have been?

[boost]

Full Tilt and PokerStars Regain .com Domain Names and Player Money is Safe (UPDATED 8:47 a.m PDT) | PokerNews

the worrying part from that statement from full tilt point of view

"In addition, the agreement represents an important first step towards returning funds to U.S. players because it allows Full Tilt Poker to utilize its domain to facilitate the withdrawal of player funds. But, unfortunately, there remain significant practical and legal impediments to returning funds to players in the immediate future. As a result of the recent enforcement action, there exists no authorized U.S. payment channel through which to make refunds; Full Tilt Poker has no accounting of the millions of dollars of player funds that were seized by the government; and the government has not agreed to permit any of the seized player funds to be returned to the players.

Read more: Full Tilt and PokerStars Regain .com Domain Names and Player Money is Safe (UPDATED 8:47 a.m PDT) | PokerNews


this differs from stars and DOJ statments ........so were some of players funds in company accounts and not segregated as they should have been?

it seems fffffffffar more likely that this is referencing the limbo money that was withdrawn but got caught in the processors accounts when they were frozen. FTP obviously has accounting of any money still in a players account.

[lolzzz_321]

ya what boost said

[Nakamura]

for non-US once the funds clear ....time to redeposit?
50% reload bonus


SCOOP Reload 2011 - Poker Tournament Cash Bonus

Giving bonuses is cool but Stars should really pay out money to non-US players before asking for more imo.

[Pioneer]

Wild Guess: Online Poker will be legalized in the States within 14 months but only for play through PokerStarsWynn.com. Full Tilt knows this and so they have less incentive to make paying out US players a priority.

[bigred]

Wild Guess: Online Poker will be legalized in the States within 14 months but only for play through PokerStarsWynn.com. Full Tilt knows this and so they have less incentive to make paying out US players a priority.

That's a pretty myopic statement. FTP still has a large userbase outside of the states and not paying US players would send a shitty message to non-US players as well. It is in FTP's best interests to pay up.

[meeloche]

Wild Guess: Online Poker will be legalized in the States within 14 months but only for play through PokerStarsWynn.com. Full Tilt knows this and so they have less incentive to make paying out US players a priority.

Wynn Resorts terminated their partnership agreement with pokerstars once the indictments were announced so its very unlikely to be a pokerstars/wynn site.

If anything legalized us poker sites are coming into the market once legislation passes its gonna be ceasers/harrahs wsop.com. It's already running legal online poker in the uk and along with partypoker would likely be the 2 big players imo.

[Pioneer]

Sorry, I didn't mean FT wouldn't pay out just they would take 2-3x longer than Pokerstars.

@ Meeloche - Ok that sounds a lot more informed than my wild guess, but I still like my (no facts) conspiracy theory that Wynn is the , a 'behind the scenes puppet master' orchestrating a master plan to control online poker in Amerca that even includes the DOJ crackdown.

[Shotglass]

@ Meeloche - Ok that sounds a lot more informed than my wild guess, but I still like my (no facts) conspiracy theory that Wynn is the , a 'behind the scenes puppet master' orchestrating a master plan to control online poker in Amerca that even includes the DOJ crackdown.

pffft: If we're gonna talk conspiracy theories then the ceasars/harras wsop makes more sense. I'm thinking 6 to 18 months and the big two in the US will be WSOP and Party. If stars and FTP don't get aquitted or the case dismissed then those two might not return to the US ever.

[BooG690]

For Wuf: YouTube - Online Poker FBI Crackdown

[boost]

For Wuf: YouTube - Online Poker FBI Crackdown

This broad is a retard.

[philly and the phanatics]

so gay u cant use fpps to buy bonuses if ur american...guess they are all goign to waste

[a500lbgorilla]

For Wuf: YouTube - Online Poker FBI Crackdown

eh, this is why I don't even like the political talking heads like Cenk and Maddow.

To them the world of gov't action fits into a certain narrative that I don't think is accurate. Why couldn't it just be that the FBI followed the law and was handed a case on a silver platter for billion dollar money launderers? Why does it have to be big govt crushing competition to support their masters as bought bitches?

[BennyLaRue]

so gay u cant use fpps to buy bonuses if ur american...guess they are all goign to waste

Gift certificates + ebay = US dinero?

[donkbee]

Seperate note, I'm assuming they've pulled the Pokerstars Big Game TV show? I usually watch it when at work, and it went to a couple infomercials tonight. I'm not surprised they pulled it (unless it just wasn't airing this week?), but I am surprised at how quick it was pulled.

I did watch Poker After Dark PLO they had on, but I don't think I saw a single FTP ad, which makes sense.

Anyone know if they Big Game was infact pulled?

Yes it was pulled.

PokerStars Big Game and Million Dollar Challenge Pulled from Fox

[Stacks]

[Q] What will happen to my cashouts that have already been requested?

[A] These cashouts will be reversed and refunded to your account to allow you to Cash Out properly in the near future.

[Q] What will happen to my FPPs?

[A] PokerStars is currently reviewing options for redemption of FPPs by US residents. More information will be available in the coming days and weeks.

PokerStars - USA - FAQ

[scott_owen]

I'd like to know what % of FBI/DoJ employees were recreational players.. and how many of them cashed out pre 15th because they knew what was coming..

[fjuanl]

For Wuf: YouTube - Online Poker FBI Crackdown

insta-closed after 1st sentence

so gay u cant use fpps to buy bonuses if ur american...guess they are all goign to waste

quote from Pokerstars FAQ:

• What will happen to my FPPs?
• PokerStars is currently reviewing options for redemption of FPPs by US residents. More information will be available in the coming days and weeks

PokerStars - USA - FAQ

[kdawgy80]

For Wuf: YouTube - Online Poker FBI Crackdown

"Online poker is ELEEGAL except maybe sort of kinda not in like New JerZEE "

GFY lol

[daven]

fwiw - the ftp client and the ftp - co.uk websites are both crashing and re-appearing like a yoyo at the moment. I've already pulled most of my roll, i'm pulling more now and leaving myself very thin for 50nl...

there is also gossip here re ftp liquidity - can't verify legitimacy of this though
TV Crew Walks off Poker Lounge Set UK event canceled mid-tourney after payment issues with Pocket Kings | Pokerati | Texas Hold'em and Las Vegas WSOP Poker Blog

[PlayToWin]

so gay u cant use fpps to buy bonuses if ur american...guess they are all goign to waste

It worked for me earlier today.
http://www.flopturnriver.com/pokerfo...ml#post2030497

In preparing to withdraw, I discovered that I could still purchase a Stellar Reward and a Cash Bounus with my remaining fpp's. I figured I might as well trade them in now since I have no idea when Stars may let me play again.

[meeloche]

@ Meeloche - Ok that sounds a lot more informed than my wild guess, but I still like my (no facts) conspiracy theory that Wynn is the , a 'behind the scenes puppet master' orchestrating a master plan to control online poker in Amerca that even includes the DOJ crackdown.

It would be ceasers/harrahs 100%. They spend the most money lobbying in Washington of all the casino enterprises as far as I know.

[kingnat]

Yes it was pulled.

PokerStars Big Game and Million Dollar Challenge Pulled from Fox

Does this mean courtie can tell us how she did?

[bigred]

So can all you poker nerds go back to your respective forums and leave my commune alone?

[BankItDrew]

Yes it was pulled.

PokerStars Big Game and Million Dollar Challenge Pulled from Fox

So, how much did you win? Trip report required.

[donkbee]

The shows will still air online for sure, so I can't tell you guys anything!

I'm also hoping the shows air in Canada too.

[BennyLaRue]

She lives in a basement apartment. She lost!

(Not stalking you, I swear. You offered that information freely.)

[surviva316]

Hello,

Thank you for contacting PokerStars.

We were very pleased to receive the news that allows US players
to cash out
their real money balances.

In response to this update, the Cash Out option in the PokerStars
Cashier
will temporarily be unavailable, to allow us to prepare the
technical
solutions and formulate the plan and processes required to allow
you to cash
out your balance.

Please be assured, US player balances are safe. We will notify
all US
players as soon as the cashier is available to allow you to
proceed to
cashing out. In the interim, any pending cashouts will be
returned to your
account in order to ensure players have the opportunity to cash
out orderly.

Providing you with the facility to cash out is our top priority
right now,
and hopefully all US players will be able to cash out via the
PokerStars
Cashier in the near future.

We apologize for the temporary delay, and sincerely appreciate
your patience
and cooperation, as we continue working towards providing you
with a
solution to cash out.

Regards,

Paula
PokerStars Support Team

EDIT: bolded part=good news for spenda?

[drmcboy]

just rec'd

Dear VIP player,

PokerStars is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with the US Department of Justice that will allow US residents with funds in their PokerStars accounts to cash out without DoJ interference. Cashouts can begin as soon as PokerStars finds a suitable payment processor, likely within several weeks.

This rapid agreement is the direct result of PokerStars making it the #1 company priority to return account balances to US residents as quickly as possible.

US residents are still welcome to play upcoming PokerStars-sponsored live events such as EPT San Remo and EPT Grand Final in Madrid. Tournament packages and buy-ins won or otherwise earned on PokerStars will be honored. If you would like to register for these events using funds from your PokerStars account, please email [email protected].

More information of interest to US residents is available on a special Frequently Asked Questions webpage located at:

PokerStars - USA - FAQ

This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Please note that the PokerStars website has moved to www.pokerstars.eu and the primary support email address has changed to [email protected]. The PokerStars.com website and email addresses are gradually being restored, but it's best to use these addresses for now to be sure your communication gets through.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as PokerStars works to make your funds available for cashout as quickly as possible after recent unexpected events.

Regards,

Gareth
PokerStars VIP Team

[surviva316]

likely within several weeks? sigh

[Donachello]

It would be nice if FTP would ever sending something like this....

[surviva316]

YouTube - JG Wentworth - Its My Money & I Need It Now Commercial

[Lukie]

likely within several weeks? sigh

To me, this is exceptionally good news. A lot of people have been asking me what I think is going to happen to the money and I've been saying that, in my non-expert opinion, we won't see it for the forseeable future-- if ever.

I'm glad I was wrong (still keeping my fingers crossed, though)

[Roid_Rage]

It would be nice if FTP would ever sending something like this....

.

[bigspenda73]

they keep saying PENDING and not PROCESSED

that's my only question

[daven]

update from FTP-doug
FTP Answers 4/21 - Internet Poker - Online Poker Forum
ja, i know it's the other forum - figure in these circumstances it's ok

[BooG690]

Ban d0zer please.

[BooG690]

Antigua says U.S. online poker shutdown was illegal | Reuters

Antigua ain't havin' this!

[Shotglass]

I didn't think it would take almost a week for the international community to start something. I was actually looking for something from Antigua, Isle of Man and Ireland around Tuesday.

[BooG690]

AP/UB issue their statement:

ONLINE POKER BLACK FRIDAY: The Latest Updates | BLUFF Poker News

[surviva316]

To me, this is exceptionally good news. A lot of people have been asking me what I think is going to happen to the money and I've been saying that, in my non-expert opinion, we won't see it for the forseeable future-- if ever.

I'm glad I was wrong (still keeping my fingers crossed, though)

i mean obviously it's ABSURDLY good news and one of the best possible forseable improvements from the situation just a few days ago where i was just crossing my fingers that i'd get it at all much less in 2011 much less within 3 months.

in terms of once i found out this awesome news, i got greedy and was hoping it'd be within the month and not "likely within several weeks"

[Shotglass]

One lawyer's opinion on the merits of the indictments:
U.S. Attorney's Office on Tilt

[ChezJ]

FWIW, I downloaded the latest UB update, got the "U.S. players can't play for real money" message, then proceeded to log in and play for money with no problems. This is from two separate laptops. And not all from my home network... I even did it at the D.C. public library, clearly in the United States.

The only possibilities I can figure are that the feds really are excepting D.C. residents (due to the recent legalization in D.C.) or my account is somehow exempt because 100% of the real money comes from bonus conversions, not "illegal" fund transfers. I think I only ever deposited to UB once, like 7 years ago... maybe their records don't go that far back?

ChezJ

[settecba]

One lawyer's opinion on the merits of the indictments:
U.S. Attorney's Office on Tilt

Really interesting article.

[kdawgy80]

FWIW, I downloaded the latest UB update, got the "U.S. players can't play for real money" message, then proceeded to log in and play for money with no problems. This is from two separate laptops. And not all from my home network... I even did it at the D.C. public library, clearly in the United States.

The only possibilities I can figure are that the feds really are excepting D.C. residents (due to the recent legalization in D.C.) or my account is somehow exempt because 100% of the real money comes from bonus conversions, not "illegal" fund transfers. I think I only ever deposited to UB once, like 7 years ago... maybe their records don't go that far back?

ChezJ

I've been able to play on UB for days so I figure it's either their laziness/ineptitude or just don't care about blocking US players. I stopped though after that G911.com report that UB may not honor wins after Wednesday (4/20) for US players. Not gonna bother if it's not going to matter. Just sit back, wait for my payout and research new sites in the meantime.

[BooG690]

For the record, gambling911 has sucked ass through all this.

By the way, non-US players have had their max payouts cut to $250 at Cereus. Cereus' final days are probably upon us.

[WeaselT]

YouTube - south park-they took our jobs

[Shotglass]

For the record, gambling911 has sucked ass through all this.

I agree, +10000

[kevster]

Can we rewind to last week cause I just thought of something I should've said real early on in this. Ok. So it's now last Friday. Ok. Ready......

[kevster]

So long and thanks for all the fish

[Vi-Zer0Skill]

if anyone has emailed FTP support, from which of their emails did you get a response from? I just emailed their uk address.

[Donachello]

if anyone has emailed FTP support, from which of their emails did you get a response from? I just emailed their uk address.

bikes and I have each sent 4+ e-mail to FTP, he even has black card and neither of us has gotten anything besides an automated response afaik.

Mine were to the .co.uk

[NightGizmo]

I haven't emailed FTP, but this morning I received this email:

Dear NightGizmo,

We regret to inform you that due to recent actions by the U.S. government, Full Tilt Poker is still unable to facilitate 'real money' play, deposits, or withdrawals by players based in the United States, including the processing of any pending rakeback payments.

Rest assured that our technical and legal teams are working towards a solution that would allow us to return these funds and account balances to you as soon as possible. As always, your player account remains safe and secure, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused by these actions.

We will keep you updated with any information as it becomes available. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

The Full Tilt Poker Affiliate Team

[HarleyGuy13]

Saw this and it made me chuckle. There is a funny cartoon on LB's page!

Leak Buster

[bikes]

looks like people playing at UB are pretty fucked

[rowhousepd]

I haven't emailed FTP, but this morning I received this email:

Yup, that's pretty much what everyone is getting I think. Here's what I got in direct response to my inquiry about withdrawing my funds (which I got at the same time):

Thank you for contacting Full Tilt Poker support.

Unfortunately, due to recent actions by the U.S. government, Full Tilt Poker is currently unable to facilitate 'real money' play, deposits or withdrawals by players based in the United States.

Please rest assured that player accounts remain safe and secure and our technical and legal teams are working to have your money returned to you as soon as possible.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and will keep you up to date with additional information as it becomes available.

Thank you for your understanding,

Full Tilt Poker

Nice. Thanks Full Tilt. Awesome. Also, notice the way they said "due to recent actions by the U.S. government" ... as if to suggest they are in noooo way accountable for any of this. I'm not suggesting that the US/DoJ/FBI was my any means in the right, but it just kind of pisses me off to hear them subtly suggest they only have our best intentions at heart. Uuggh. Whatever. Just cut me a check & let's be done with it.

[rowhousepd]

looks like people playing at UB are pretty fucked

You mean in general, or did something new develop in the last couple of days? Didn't see anything on them since black Friday.

[Keith]

You mean in general, or did something new develop in the last couple of days? Didn't see anything on them since black Friday.

cashouts limited to 250$ per week for one, taking on the DOJ under world trade rules for another.

[revolvingiris]

cashouts limited to 250$ per week for one, taking on the DOJ under world trade rules for another.

I feel really, really bad for people who have money on UB. It doesn't do much but I am sorry

[daven]

legal content re the doj/fbi stuff from a poker player with a clue
www.mpethypoker.com

[CBAT]

lol Antigua says U.S. online poker shutdown was illegal | Reuters