US DOJ shuts down PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Ultimate Bet / Absolute Poker

**msuduster** · 04-15-2011 08:39 PM

I'll use this thread to post relevant news stories and statements.

**msuduster** · 04-15-2011 08:40 PM

Dublin Ireland (April 15, 2011)- Full Tilt Poker is saddened by today's charges against its CEO Raymond Bitar and offers its full support to Mr. Bitar and Nelson Burtnick.

Online poker is a game of skill enjoyed by tens of millions of people in the United States and across the world. And, Full Tilt Poker remains as committed as ever to preserving the rights of those players to play the game they love online.

Mr. Bitar and Full Tilt Poker believe online poker is legal - a position also taken by some of the best legal minds in the United States. Full Tilt Poker is, and has always been committed to preserving the integrity of the game and abiding by the law.

"I am surprised and disappointed by the government's decision to bring these charges. I look forward to Mr. Burtnick's and my exoneration," said Mr. Bitar.

Unfortunately, as a result of this action, Full Tilt Poker has decided that it must suspend "real money" play in the United States until this case is resolved. However, Full Tilt Poker will continue to provide peer-to-peer online poker services outside of the United States.

**msuduster** · 04-15-2011 08:42 PM

WASHINGTON, DC. (April 15, 2011)
– Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, Chairman of thePoker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than onemillion members nationwide, issued the comment below on today’s announcement on federalaction taken against online poker companies.“On behalf of the millions of poker players across the country, we are shocked at the action taken by the U.S. Department of Justice today against online poker companies and will continue tofight for Americans’ right to participate in the game they enjoy. Online poker is not a crime andshould not be treated as such. We are currently gathering all of the information around today’sannouncement and will offer detailed analysis when the full facts become available.”

**msuduster** · 04-15-2011 08:44 PM

Still, as a result of the charges Wynn Resorts Ltd., a Las Vegas casino company, said it was ending its recently announced partnership with PokerStars. In addition, a spokesperson for Fertitta Interactive, a new company formed by the owners and operators of Station Casinos Inc., said it had ended its affiliation with Full Tilt, which was announced at the end of last month.

**msuduster** · 04-15-2011 08:51 PM

I'm a little tired now but I will post my thoughts on this tomorrow along with some relevant legal analysis too.

**msuduster** · 04-16-2011 06:16 AM

When you log into their room this is the message you get.

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"As you may have heard, we have had to suspend real money poker services to people based in the US due to legal developments there. The developments are confined to the US and do not have any impact on your ability to continue using our services. Please be assured player balances are safe. There is no cause for concern. For all customers outside the US it is business as usual."

**crazee55** · 04-16-2011 06:45 AM

And now you cant even log on to FT as it won't update. I heard you can play the Onyx/Main Event round games on FT.net though which I find strange.

**thejuanupsman** · 04-16-2011 12:44 PM

Damn shame. I guess for now I'll be playing at Bodog even though I hate it. It's the only site that allows US players that I still have a bankroll at.