Category: Technology Author : Duncan Riley Posted: June 9, 2009
Tags : fail, online poker, us government
The US Government has started a new crack down on online poker, freezing accounts that handle the winnings of thousands of players.
The Poker Players Alliance says that the US Attorney for the South District of New York instructed three banks to freeze accounts that held $30 million. Internet gambling has always been illegal in the United States, however online poker companies have claimed that the law doesn’t apply to poker due to poker being a game of skill, as opposed to other types of gambling.
Copies of the orders, obtained by AP state that banks should treat the frozen accounts “as legally seized” by the FBI. The letters claims that the government has probable cause that the gambling payments of U.S. residents had been directed to offshore illegal Internet gambling businesses, and state that the accounts “constitute property involved in money laundering transactions and illegal gambling offenses.”
It’s not known at this stage which poker sites are affected.
Jun 24, 2009
I think it's good. Poker is an addiction; harmful to children who get hooked and their lives are ruined. I support a full ban.
Jun 6, 2011
Who ever wrote this article needs to read the law a little better. First off, it is not illegal for the "people" of the U.S. to play online poker. The law clearly states that it is illegal for the "BANKS" to do business with the on online companies. As a response to Lorna Moon comment: What about prescription drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or even ONLINE SHOPPING! They are all addictions! Should we ban all of those too?
Thousands of people have an addiction to spending money they don't have, ONLINE SHOPPING. What about lottery tickets? Should we have an all country ban on scratch off tickets because I see a lot of people buying them and then littering the ground with them after losing their money.
I'm curious to know what the real reason is behind your full support. Children's lives are ruin far more many times by their parents alone than anything to do with poker. Simply put you don't like it! Which is fine, then you have the right to teach your children whatever. However like any business the industry can be regulated, it can generate tax revenue, and it can be made safe to protect your little Johnny or Martha from ruining their lives as you say.
Jun 10, 2011
Wow…clearly you don't like anybody messing with your online poker.