Pokerstars/Full Tilt - FBI is finally making a move

So it appears that the real money side of online poker sites has finally been stopped by the government. Temporary or not, I can only imagine this is a huge blow to a lot of people who have lots of money in their account.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/16/te...3Z6R0njEzz7/5A

While the sites seem to be back up, and I can log in and join any game I want, I did get this notice when I logged into Pokerstars (see attachment). I'm guessing that you're just blocked from depositing any more money into your account and getting a disbursement check.

Attached: pokerstars.jpg (64.3 KB)

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Check Absolute earlier and nothing changed....yet.
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Originally Posted by illinoishoosier:
Check Absolute earlier and nothing changed....yet.
Posted via Mobile Device

It's changed now.
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That stinks! they locked me out of my funds some time ago due to Washington state laws.
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I saw a few articles on this yesterday. Here is a story on yahoo that was updated today, so may have more information.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110416/...er_prosecution

I don't do online gaming but feel for those who have been caught up in this one.
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This really sucks for US affiliates. It seems tilt is using www.fulltilpoker.co.uk as the main site and stars is using www.pokerstars.eu but the cashier is not available for usa players, i wonder if the visitors are being recorded...
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The government is going after them for 3 billion dollars. I can't see how this will actually get held up in court. This seems like grandstanding more than anything. I was reading where some players were totally distraut because this was basically their full time jobs, playing poker on the net. Some even quit their real jobs because the money was so good online. Kinda insane if you ask me....

Luckily I only had a small amount of coin in one of the sites. If it's gone for good it won't break me. I've lost far more to customs recently ha... It's really gotta suck for those who have a ton of money into them. One person I know (who plays internet poker for a living, while in college of course) has over 80K on one site alone. I can't imagine what their feeling at the moment.
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Originally Posted by shadow king:
The government is going after them for 3 billion dollars. I can't see how this will actually get held up in court. This seems like grandstanding more than anything. I was reading where some players were totally distraut because this was basically their full time jobs, playing poker on the net. Some even quit their real jobs because the money was so good online. Kinda insane if you ask me....

Luckily I only had a small amount of coin in one of the sites. If it's gone for good it won't break me. I've lost far more to customs recently ha... It's really gotta suck for those who have a ton of money into them. One person I know (who plays internet poker for a living, while in college of course) has over 80K on one site alone. I can't imagine what their feeling at the moment.

I don't think anyone is gonna slide on the money laundering nor should they. I don't feel bad for those who lost money in their accounts either because its not like they are innocent victims. They knowingly broke the law and now they have to face the consequences.
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What I dont understand or like is. The US government wants a cut of the money from sites that are set up in other countries.
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Yeah...I mean, they forced the website out of the country with the law changes (I believe around 2006) when in reality they should've legalized it, figured out how to tax it, and get an insane amount of money from it.

While I think it's absolutely ridiculous that it's illegal (which I'm sure has nothing to do with rich lobbyist who have interests in B&M casinos or anything) I definitely don't agree with the money laundering that they supposedly did. I mean...this takes a legitimate business and makes it look more like a mafia back room gambling operation. I definitely didn't feel like I was breaking any laws playing online...but apparently I should've!
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Originally Posted by shadow king:
Luckily I only had a small amount of coin in one of the sites. If it's gone for good it won't break me. I've lost far more to customs recently ha... It's really gotta suck for those who have a ton of money into them. One person I know (who plays internet poker for a living, while in college of course) has over 80K on one site alone. I can't imagine what their feeling at the moment.

Why would anyone leave that much money on the site? Seems like asking for trouble.
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I would love it if they would allow this sites back on US shores and regulate them.
I want to easily and legally bet on sports games or play poker knowing that these sites are reliable and trustworthy.
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This is such bull____. I wanted to play online poker a couple of years ago and they wouldn't take a credit card. They wanted to draw from a bank account, so I just gave up. Still, there is lotto, Indian casinos and poker rooms everywhere. It's just so stupid. Doesn't the DOJ have anything better to do?
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