The Online Poker world was given a shock on “Black Friday” with the indictments of top gaming and payment processor executives and the seizure of the domains of Pokerstars, Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet. We have compiled all of the major news, information and created resources for players looking for new poker rooms to play on.
The Major Stories:
Following the indictments and seizures, Pokerstars pulled out of the US Market. Full Tilt Poker followed soon after and yesterday the Cereus Network completed the trifecta.
US Players are unable to access their funds in the affected sites.
The Justice Department has stated that players will not be targeted, only poker rooms and payment processors.
The Merge Network (Carbon Poker and others), Cake Poker and the Yahatay Network have announced they will remain in the US Market.
Pokerstars and Full Tilt Poker have reached an agreement with the US Attorney’s Office to regain the use of their domain names and return US Players’ money. Full Tilt released a statement claiming it may not be as easy as it appears to return money to players. Pokerstars sent out an email to players stating they will be able to make payments to US Players when they secure a payment processor. This will likely take several weeks.
The Cereus Network has rejected/canceled some cash outs for international players and limited withdrawals to $250 per week.
Antigua is making noise that it will file a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the Black Friday prosecutions. Antigua is the base of operations for Absolute Poker. This is not likely to change anything as the US has already faced WTO sanctions for its online poker stance (and many other issues) and ignored the WTO in the past.
Pokerstars is now allowing US players to withdraw their funds. According to Steve Day of Pokerstars you will be allowed one cash out. There is no word on what players will be able to do with their FPPs and other promotional funds.
Various reports have surfaced that the Cereus Network is filing for bankruptcy. However, a press release issued following these reports claims the network is simply “restructuring.”
The Cereus Network has entered into an agreement with the DoJ to return money to US Players. They claim to be putting things in place to return the money and are making it their first priority.
Full Tilt Poker has issued a statement without any specifics on cash outs other than they are working on it. While withdrawals are still to come, they have begun paying out promo money and will re-open the Full Tilt Store so US Players can make purchases with their points.
More Details:
Pokerpocalypse: Indictments Against Major Sites
Updates on the Pokerpocalypse
4-18-2011 Online Poker News Update
Cake Poker Officially Open to US Players
Online Poker News: 4-19-2011
Cereus Network Suspends US Real Money Play
Yahatay Network Remains in US Market
Settlement Reached to Return US Players’ Money
Full Tilt Poker Press Release on Domain and Withdrawals
Full Tilt Poker Updates
Cereus Network Cash Out Problems
WTO To Become Involved in Black Friday?
Pokerstars Withdrawal Timetable for US Players
Pokerstars: Black Friday FAQ
US Players May Now Cash Out from Pokerstars
Merge Network Sees Tremendous Growth
4-28-2011 Full Tilt Poker Updates
Cereus Network Headed for Bankruptcy?
Cereus Network Reaches Deal with DoJ
Latest Update on Full Tilt Poker Cashouts
Cereus Network Still Allowing US Cash Game Play
Looking for a New Poker Room? Are you a player on the affected websites looking for a new site to play on?
US Players:
1. Carbon Poker (Merge Network)
2. Cake Poker (Cake Poker Network)
3. True Poker (Yahatay Network)
4. Bodog Poker
Worldwide Players:
Fortune Poker (Boss Network)