cojoburros 0 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Ongame parent released the following press release today. I can't believe all of these sights are bailing out when the new law doesn't even outlaw poker, but the transfer of funds to gambling sites. What a bunch of spineless jellyfish. Someone has to stand up to this crap and challenge it in court. Full Tilt seems to be the only site with any balls.On 30 September 2006 the US Senate passed the ”SAFE Port Act“ which also contains a section referred to as the ”Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006“. The new act primarily affects online payment transactions for games of chance, which have been deemed unlawful under US American law, and aims to prevent these by threatening severe punishment, court sanctions and regulatory action. This statute adds a new subchapter to Chapter 53 of the United States Code stating that online games of chance are primarily financed through credit card payments and money transfers and that new enforcement tools have become necessary for the Internet. Not only sports bets, but also games of chance and lotteries, are affected by the ”bet or wager“ definition. The law makes payment transactions related to unlawful online games of chance virtually impossible, listing all payment options affected in detail as is customary for US legislation. In addition, § 5367 also contains a provision about the liability of any company or person involved in such transactions. This also applies to operations owned or controlled by someone who accepts unlawful bets and wagers.Ongame, one of the companies in the bwin Group is also affected by the bill which was signed into law today by President George W. Bush.bwin regrets that the US has taken this step which will make it virtually impossible for listed, strictly regulated and transparent operators to offer real money entertainment to US customers. bwin is doubtful whether US authorities will be able to achieve their stated goals – protection of minors and the prevention of gaming addiction – by introducing such legislation. Past experience with restrictive measures to prevent the abuse of alcohol has shown that such prohibition did not have the desired effect, merely driving consumers underground and contributing to the rapid growth of an entirely unregulated black market. The online gaming industry is unanimous in its view that the creation of forward-looking regulation can more effectively address issues such as consumer protection, the protection of minors, the prevention of gaming addiction, or the prevention of money laundering. Such a policy, if properly monitored by the authorities, would be much more effective than this general ban.Following an in-depth analysis of the situation and extensive legal consultation, bwin has decided to comply with the new legislation and will no longer accept any new US-resident customers for its real money gaming products, effective immediately. The company is working on technical arrangements that will prevent existing customers from accessing its real money games. Until further notice, bwin will only be offering a ”play money“ line-up to the US market. The greatly increased risk of prosecution by the US authorities, the considerable pressure on banks and payment providers coupled with the requirements for publicly listed companies leave the company no other option.For the year 2006 the Ongame customer base also includes some 177,000 active real money customers not resident in the US. In addition, the majority of customers in Ongame’s poker network are from Europe. In Q2 2006, the former Ongame customer portfolio generated gross gaming revenue of EUR 29.0 million. EUR 9.3 million or 32 percent of the gross gaming revenue were generated from customers not resident in the US. Cumulative gross gaming revenue of the bwin group amounted to EUR 94.3 million in Q2 2006; as leading provider of online gaming entertainment in continental Europe, bwin generated 79 percent of its gross gaming revenue through customers not living in the US in Q2 2006.bwin customers not resident in the USA are not affected at all by these legislative changes in the United States, and can continue to enjoy the full range of bwin products. Link to post Share on other sites
FatBurger 0 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Damn, that sucks. Link to post Share on other sites
epistemic 0 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Yeah, I just got this in regards to my Hollywood Poker Affiliate Account, apart of OnGameDear xxxxxx,The President of the United States has signed new legislationthat will cause HollywoodPoker to suspend accepting depositsfrom YOUR U.S. players and examine potential offerings to yourUS player database that would be within the new law. Normalplay will continue for approximately 30 days while we monitorany new developments surrounding this new legislation. Duringthis time your U.S. players' will continue to have the ability to access their accounts as well as play HollywoodPoker games as they normally would, with the exception of making deposits. U.S. free money play will not be affected.All Non-U.S. players will not be affected. They will be ableto access localized poker, Blackjack and soon to be launchedcasino and slot games, including progressive slots!Midmonth Affiliate payments will be paid on schedule. Weunderstand that you may have a number of questions regardingthis new action, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questionssection on the site to find out more:https://member.hollywoodpoker.com/US-players-FAQWe apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for yourcooperation and understanding. If you think this new law isunfair please voice your opinion to the U.S. government atPoker Players Alliance:http://capwiz.com/pokerplayersalliance/iss...611&type=COOr at Petition Online:http://www.petitiononline.com/LOGNOW/petition.htmlRegards,Michael HalesHollywood Affiliate Relationship Manager.....................................................................Michael@hollywoodaffiliates.com Toll free phone (US/Canada): 866 497 6537Msn Messenger: Michael@hollywoodpoker.comhttp://www.hollywoodaffiliates.com Where Affiliates Come to Earn! Link to post Share on other sites
DB10-2 0 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 makes you wonder what FCP will do with their protege program.fake money SNGs? Link to post Share on other sites
GuYuTe 0 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 This pisses me off so ****in much.Could someone tell me FCP's stance on this? Will I be able to deposit next week? Or is FCP going to follow Hollywood and stop accepting US deposits? Link to post Share on other sites
KDawgCometh 2 Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 please keep all ongame discussion to the one that is already going about pokerroom Link to post Share on other sites
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