In early June, the U.S. government seized more than $30 million from several accounts of payment processors who were acting as middlemen between two online poker rooms, Full Tilt and Poker Stars, and a small portion of players who had accounts with those poker rooms. The seizure was unexpected and there have been no significant updates concerning the government's next move.
Now a payment processor who handled some of those accounts is trying to get back $14 million through a court order that it says the government seized illegaly. The Poker Players Alliance says this is part of the $30 million and is planning to file a motion to participate in the case on the side of the payment processor.
Online Poker is still estimated to be a $16 billion a year industry, with more than half of that coming from players in the United States. What has this latest move accomplished? The poker rooms are still open (and thriving), and players (after a few hiccups) can still withdraw money from their accounts. The government exercised its' power, took some money, but accomplished nothing. Will this happen again and should it simply be considered a way of taxing the poker rooms? Or perhaps the government will realize the futility of its' actions.
What I do know for sure is that the poker rooms are still open and taking bets. Visit either of the two largest poker rooms and feel safe with the knowledge that these poker rooms will always be able to handle your deposits and withdrawals.
