New reports about casinos stopping US activity
This week, another turn emerged in the somewhat confusing position of originally Microgaming-powered online casinos in the United States market, which perhaps due to the latest federal action against major online poker houses in the country seem to have decided to exit the US market.
According to one senior affiliate who sent a message to players, "It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you all that all MG US facing brands are shutting down as of 12am. I know some are concerned about withdrawing money and how this will effect payouts, the truth is right now I do not know.
"I was to told by several that the software owners (NOT THE CASINOS) have made this decision so the casinos have to do what they are told! This will put many out of business I am sure as well.
"They are going to be letting funds loose I am sure via QT but that is all I know, the do NOT have any processors in place otherwise. They may have to take a few weeks to get you paid so all I can do is suggest you be patient as of right now you know as much as I do."
It has been speculated that the financial structures in the States have been so shattered by the DoJ attacks that the operators have been seriously discouraged from continuing to do their business in the midst of such hostility. The casinos that stopped taking US players, according to the latest player reports, which keep adding new names to the list, include 7 Sultans, Platinum Play, Royal Vegas, Villento, Vegas Palms, Rich Reels, Fortune Lounge, All Jackpots, Riverbelle, Maple and All Slots.
If the trend continues, the US-based players will face a serious threat of less respectable and perhaps even fly-by-night operators who have little respect for responsible gambling, player privacy or professional ethics entering the market to fill the empty spots. The situation is similar with constantly prosecuted e-processors.
Now it all seems to be up to Congressman Barney Frank's bill HR1174, which also seems to be less than hopeful in a Republican-controlled Congress. And, there’s also the "authorised-by-default" legalization initiative in Washington D.C, but the question remains – how’s that going to work?
