Answers to Online Poker Player's
Questions Regarding Unlawful
Internet Gambling Enforcement Act!
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© 2006,2007
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(note: the information and sites listed include online casino and blackjack options as well)
HR 4411 is a new law (passed in October 2006) regarding "illegal online gambling sites". This law does not make it illegal for individuals to play poker online. However, a few online poker sites over reacted and shut down to U.S. players. Others are considering shutting down. So you need to know where you can play. The sites listed below have stated that they are not going to shut down to U.S. players. The information below details how the law may affect you.
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WHAT IS THIS NEW ONLINE ANTI-GAMBLING LAW
QUICK SUMMARY:
- Neteller is NO LONGER Operational for US Players
- CLICK2PAY is NO LONGER opening new US Player Accounts (existing accounts still should work)
- CentralCoin is NO LONGER Operational for US Players
- FIREPAY is not available for poker transactions
MANY SITES NO LONGER will do direct bank account deposits or "echecks"
Here's a list of poker sites that still take U.S. players along with what deposit/withdrawal methods to use from the U.S.
WHAT TO DO:
Open an account with www.epassporte.com for most sites (see list below)
Open an account with www.mywebatm.com for some sites (see list below)
ONLINE POKER IS STILL GOING STRONG, YOU JUST NEED TO PICK THE APPROPRIATE SITES AND DEPOSITING/WITHDRAWING METHODS
The second major blow to online poker players happened in January 2007. For reason Not Related to the law above the U.S. government arrested two of the founders of Neteller (the major online financial transaction company for many poker sites) on charges of money laundering. Additionally they froze Neteller accounts in early Feb.
"The FBI has frozen access to Neteller accounts as part of its ongoing investigation into the company... According to USA Today, FBI agent Neil Donovan said the funds were being kept as evidence. He told the paper some customers may get their money back."
In response to this many of the major online financial transaction companies shut down to U.S. poker players. Neteller, Firepay, CentralCoin and others. Also, most sites will not do "e-checks" or direct electronic deposits to your bank account. BUT THERE ARE SOLUTIONS. The key is to play sites that allow US players and still have viable financial transaction methods. They are listed below.
Here's a list of POKER SITES TO MOVE TO along with what deposit/withdrawal methods to use.
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Technically it's more of a BANKING REGULATION than a POKER LAW. The law prohibits U.S. financial institutions from sending or receiving funds from online gambling sites, which includes poker sites. This legislation does not target individual players. You shouldn't worry about the feds knocking on your door. Although it is technical and it has quite a bit of circular language, it is essentially made to stop U.S. financial institutions from transferring money directly to and from online gambling sites. Although it seems like the Neteller arrests are related, they aren't. The Neteller arrest was for transactions before this law was enacted.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The first thing it means is that U.S. banks will have to take steps to refuse any financial transactions to or from online Poker and Gambling sites. The regulations are set to take effect in 8-9 months, in order to give financial institutions time to set up the appropriate safeguards. Again, the law does not appear to target individual players.
What it means to you is that you need to make sure you are only playing on sites that will still be around in the future, and that you are using financial transaction methods that protect your money and options. I strongly recommend getting an www.epassporte.com account and playing only sites that use it. OPTIONS DO EXIST, SEE BELOW.
All the news is not bad. As an online professional I am enjoying the movement of players that these developments create. Party Poker, and Pacific had the vast majority of U.S. players. Those players will now find new places to play. That's a good thing for the average player. Second, Party Poker in particular had become a major target for automated and semi-automated poker "tools" - and I'm using tools very loosely. The worst of these are "Bots" that automatically play multiple tables using predefined methods. Other "tools" include player HUD's or Heads Up Displays that most professional online players use to exploit average players tendencies. Taking these sites away from "sharks" and "bots" will help the average player.
Also, many thousands of players have never experienced online play at any site other than Party Poker. These changes will force them to try new sites, which is a good thing in my opinion.
HOW ARE POKER SITES REACTING?
Some sites have shut down and other sites have reaffirmed their commitment to US poker players. Some financial transaction sites have shut down and others continue to support US poker players The links below are the latest on which sites are suspending play (SITES TO LEAVE) and which sites are continuing to support U.S. players (SITES TO MOVE TO):
SITES TO LEAVE
POKER SITES TO MOVE TO
I have played all the sites to move to on this list. Most of them accept www.epassporte.com as a way of depositing and withdrawing money. I have an account with epassporte, and although it took a few weeks to validate everything, I love it. You can directly transfer to your bank account or you can use their international Visa card. Plus, you don't need a physical card to use your epassporte Visa account online. That's available immediately. It just takes a few weeks to get the physical card.
WILL THIS AFFECT YOU?
You need to make sure you are playing on the right sites (see SITES TO MOVE TO) and that you are using the right financial transaction methods, such as epassporte, mywebatm.com, and others.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Well, first, get off Party Poker, 888.com (i.e. Pacific Poker) and other sites that are shutting down to U.S. players. Just consult the list.
Second, you should begin exploring the sites that are doing their job. All of the sites that are continuing operations have said with one voice essentially "we are not 'gambling' sites, we are legally operating and licensed companies, and the WTO has said that U.S. citizens have every right to use our services. So we will not now, or in the future, stop servicing our customers." Their response makes me proud to support the sites and companies that proudly support our right to play!!
Third, if you don't already have one, you need to set up an epassporte account. This will take a week or two because they will confirm your banking information. It may take a bit longer right now because EVERYONE is moving to them.
Fourth, if you haven't paid taxes on your Neteller withdrawals then you should. The IRS will have data from the the Neteller accounts that they can use to cross-check against SSN's. There's no reason not to pay your taxes anyway. If the amount is small then the taxes are insignificant. If the amount is large, then you're rich so don't whine.
Additionally you should stay on top of the issue. We will help you do that. If you bookmark this site and visit it daily then you will pretty well kept up to date on what sites to avoid and what sites to use. Plus, we will provide information on how to go about the transitions.
Lastly, you should enjoy online poker. There's no reason to abandon a hobby that you love over a banking regulation that will only provide new opportunities for average players to do well.
WHAT IS PERFORMPOKER.COM?
Performance Poker is a site that is deciated to helping average poker players excel. The vast majority of online poker players lose money over the long-term. Psychologically they like to say that are "break even or a little better". But they know the score. Winning poker and keeping your winnings is fairly easy if you understand the true secrets to approaching online poker play. This site teaches that. It is free. We provide the "Performance Poker - No Limit!" a free book. Download the QuickStart chart to use after you read the book. And we provide all the articles and tools you need to win. It's that simple. We don't pretend to be poker geniuses, because anyone can win at poker if you know what to focus on and how to approach the game. I hope you will enjoy the site. Click on the links to the left to explore further.
There is a literal sea of poker information available. That sea comprises hundreds of books, dozens of forums, friends, TV, magazines, etc. However, they don't tell you exactly what to do, exactly how to do it, and exactly what to expect. It's informantion overload that is creating the 90%+ losing players. Winning players understand that a few basic tools, used consistently, is all it takes to win consistently. If you would like those tools then you've come to the right place. Welcome!
(The preceding is the opinion of the author and is in no way intended to be legal advice.
More detail can be found about U.S. and State Gambling laws here.
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