[TheMoneyShot]

I guess I'm just a little baffled on this?

As we all remembered when Paypal then Neteller pulled away from the U.S. market for processing. Then the only major book that I can remember who did it pretty quickly was Pinnacle. But now... other books are considering this. From rumors... to fact... point being why is this the year that books are making the move to not accept US customers anymore? Does this stem from the Patriot Act signed a few years ago? And if so... why are books giving up on the US base as clients?

Why does one book for the last 2 years say... HEY! We can continue to service US customers... their govt' isn't going to stop us! But then... this year... some say... we are sorry to say that we aren't accepting anymore US customers or US wagers. I just don't understand it?

Let's say for an example... there's only 3 books taking US action in the near future. Naturally, that will make those books STRONGER... because when words gets out... and you are a US gambler you'll only have 3 to choose from. Then what if... we're down to only 1? Who's going to survive? Or really... should we even hint to worry right now? What makes a book decide to stop taking US action? What are the books scared of? I'm just curious if anyone knows? Because I really have no idea.

For another example... I always viewed Pinnacle as the strongest book out there... but immediately they say we will honor US laws... and stop taking action from US Residents. Where as... a book like 5Dimes says... look we don't care what the US laws are... we will accept US action and PAY US customers on time and as fast as possible. Why does one book have balls? And the other book doesn't?

[Hareeba!]

Their owners and operators don't like the thought of spending time in US jails and having their assets seized by Uncle Sam.

[Jive]

Because my fellow dunderhead citizens keep electing people from the two major parties, and all they want to do is take away freedom and consolidate as much power as they can.

[xstud]

I personally think that a big reason is because no book wants to lose money due to a processor being seized. Think about the amount of money the government has seized from processors. Also consider the amount of money that rogue processors have run away with. The cost of doing business in the U.S. is too high right now.... granted it is a huge market but due to a lot of risk factors the profit margins have to be much thinner than before. Finally, I think some owners are acting responsibly and realizing "If we can't pay players within a reasonable amount of time we should not offer that service to those players." I think it sucks obviously... but until regulation happens we are ******.

[cjwatsonfan32]

It sucks for all of us.

[xKMACKx]

easy, the US government

[Counterfeit Cash]

Uncle Sam is killing us right now

[gangeriver]

Most european and asian players have numbers of good opportunities like Pinnacle,UK and asian books. Well, who will use these off-shore books in further time? it seems some of them might close the shop. Nobody would like to close his shop.Obviously there is a big reason

[LostBankroll]

US OFFSHORE SPORTSBETTING is coming to a close. Get those final bets in while you can.

[Mikail]

Because the U.S sucks!

[Scooter]

"For another example... I always viewed Pinnacle as the strongest book out there... but immediately they say we will honor US laws... and stop taking action from US Residents."

Pinnacle wants to get in on the future expected and likely legalization of poker/sportsbetting in NV/other states/the USA.
Cantor and VC are already involved.
A "rogue" operator is not getting licensed.

[Salamander]

US OFFSHORE SPORTSBETTING is coming to a close. Get those final bets in while you can.

You mean "get those final payouts while you can" I believe

[ex50warrior]

You mean "get those final payouts while you can" I believe

I'm hoping it doesn't come to this...I hate the thought of going back to my local.

[jay777]

Never gonna completely leave...

[saintjames]

Because my fellow dunderhead citizens keep electing people from the two major parties, and all they want to do is take away freedom and consolidate as much power as they can.

bill frist , john kyle , and george bush are the REPUBLICANS who are COMPLETELY responsible for all this...democrats like clinton & obama would never do this...amen

[alling]

why did some books and poker rooms immediately pull out of US after UIGEA became law? and now others are falling suit.

[relaaxx]

Because my fellow dunderhead citizens keep electing people from the two major parties, and all they want to do is take away freedom and consolidate as much power as they can.

exactly

Because the U.S sucks!

sure does

[Nikfrio]

I'm more concerned about books pulling a "BetEd" while my money is there

[durito]

Pinny pulled out after UIGEA was passed, they looked at and decided they didn't want to deal with it's implications. It wasn't implemented for over 2 years untill last year. Other books took a wait and see approach. Now that it's been implemented and enforced for a while some have realized they don't want the hassles of any new US customers.

[orioles]

because the u.s sucks!

**** you commie pinko

[ByeShea]

bill frist , john kyle , and george bush are the REPUBLICANS who are COMPLETELY responsible for all this...democrats like clinton & obama would never do this...amen

Point at all the legislation you want, but the Bush DOJ only made an example of a few violators (WSEX, for one), in court.

Now look at what the Obama DOJ has done in the calendar year 2011.

All of a sudden, for US players, there pretty much is no such thing as online poker.

That was the handwriting on the wall for recreational sportsbooks for the US player. Names getting squished and other names pulling out of the US market altogether.

I've said it before, but if you want to measure the health of this market, measure the health of affiliate marketing efforts in the US.

THERE IS NONE. And that's certainly a first.

(Will be very interesting this summer to see what happens before football season, which is 70% of the recreational playing market)

Bush created the law to regulate, Obama used it to obliterate.

saintjames, the lawmakers are doing their jobs and no one can really blame them for wanting a piece of all that money (like they give a f*ck about the feelings of online gamblers) - but you are off base in dragging your butt-simple political views into this.

You sound like an organizer for security guards.

[pedro803]

Please pardon my igonorance on this, are there more sportsbooks/exchanges that have pulled out of the U.S. lately? I only know about matchbook -- I did a quick click through of the SBR Recommended list and the only ones that showed a U.S. restriction are Pinnacle and Bet365.

So what gives? Are we sure more are about to be pulling out? I don't follow online poker rooms, I don't play poker at all. So is there some chance that we will continue to see some status quo from SBR's recommended list of sports books?

I sure hope so!

[nosniboR11]

bill frist , john kyle , and george bush are the REPUBLICANS who are COMPLETELY responsible for all this...democrats like clinton & obama would never do this...amen

idiot

[EasyTiger]

idiot

Agreed. If you still believe in partisan politics, you are a complete idiot. Getting played by both sides. Wake up!

[lt56]

This is as good a chat board as there is anywhere. OP asks a good question and every person here is spot on with all the reasons why books are now more worried than ever about U.S. players. One idiot thinks Obama and Clinton are pro-gambler, but almost all the politicans in America are stripping away freedoms; as almost everyone here already knows. Ron Paul would be the ONLY presidential contender who would squash this bullshit of American banks not legally being able to process payments for sports gambling and poker. Unfortunately; Obama's DOJ is actually providing the potential knock out punch for what Bush's DOJ has started. I thought America would work behind the scenes to simply cut deals with offshore books to pay some tax to America as a trade off for the gambling revenue they receive from Americans, but now with this bs sting operation on BetEd; I'm not so sure. I can't believe American politicians would be so stupid as to not be doing this but maybe they are

[xstud]

To turn this into blaming any one political party is stupid. Those that say "Politicians" are guilty are right.

Fact: Republicans passed the law.
Fact: Both parties are enforcing the law

As of right now all we can hope for is for states to start legalizing internet gaming. Once states start to see the revenue that is brought in, it hopefully will show capital hill that the people want this. Unfortunately, a large part of the politicians in charge feel that legalizing this kind of activity will "Ruin America". Either way, they will never completely be able to stop offshore gaming. They have already done enough damage to the industry and surely once a site becomes "large" then a target will surely be painted on their backs.

[oiler]

it would be beneficial to legalize it and pay taxes on it,then the us wont be in the financial debt they are in...they are so worried the mob will get involved,,,,its to late they already are and they arent going nowhere anytime soon

[White Rhino]

It just baffles me that the U.S. wont start their own books up. Make it like the state lottery. Each state has their own book and the proceeds go to help fund our failing education system.

[mighty maron]

To turn this into blaming any one political party is stupid. Those that say "Politicians" are guilty are right.

Fact: Republicans passed the law.
Fact: Both parties are enforcing the law

As of right now all we can hope for is for states to start legalizing internet gaming. Once states start to see the revenue that is brought in, it hopefully will show capital hill that the people want this. Unfortunately, a large part of the politicians in charge feel that legalizing this kind of activity will "Ruin America". Either way, they will never completely be able to stop offshore gaming. They have already done enough damage to the industry and surely once a site becomes "large" then a target will surely be painted on their backs.

The implications from this last minute add on to the sure pass safe port act....

[xstud]

The implications from this last minute add on to the sure pass safe port act....

Right, I don't want to derail the thread further by discussing the bill or UEIGA. I was simply just stating in crude terms the facts at hand. So to completely blame Obama or completely blame Bush is foolish. Just like completely blaming dems or republicans.

The environment we are in sucks.. that is about it. Until regulation happens it will always be a cat and mouse game, we will always see processors pop up and disappear and sadly we will always see books open and close doors to citizens.

[horsiehung]

this is quite the tired story
when it does happen it will be like rain rouring

[ByeShea]

Make it like the state lottery. Each state has their own book and the proceeds go to help fund our failing education system.

First of all, you sound as if politicians are particularly concerned about or could fix a "failing" educational system. False.

The only hope for improving educational systems is the hope that the parents of these children improve their interest in their children's education.

Some of the worst educational systems already spend the most money per pupil. The New York City department of education spends over $12 billion annually to basically keep kids entertained enough from killing each other.

Defund that sh*t, waste of money.

[The Bet Master]

As long as we have 5Dimes and Bookmaker I will be ok.

[betbetter]

Pinny pulled out after UIGEA was passed, they looked at and decided they didn't want to deal with it's implications. It wasn't implemented for over 2 years untill last year. Other books took a wait and see approach. Now that it's been implemented and enforced for a while some have realized they don't want the hassles of any new US customers.

Their pullout was not an arbitrary decision....

[Jive]

bill frist , john kyle , and george bush are the REPUBLICANS who are COMPLETELY responsible for all this...democrats like clinton & obama would never do this...amen

Funny! Kudos for the laugh.