Online Poker Forum - An Open Letter From Full Tilt Poker

TilterMarkus

As many people are well aware, the United States Congress recently passed legislation that aims to make it illegal for U.S. banks to process transactions related to online gaming.

We, like all online poker players, are dismayed and saddened by these potential regulations, and are doing our best to determine what these changes will mean to our customers. We are continuing to study this legislation and, until our investigation is complete, believe it would be wrong to comment on how these new rules will impact the ability for players to transfer funds to and from Full Tilt Poker.

In the short term, we assure you that your online experience at Full Tilt Poker will not change. You will still be able to deposit and withdraw money from the site using the same methods and payment processors you have always used, and your money will remain completely safe and secure. We cannot predict how the online poker experience may change in the future, but we do not expect any immediate impact from the legislation, as the banking industry has 270 days to implement new rules after the bill is signed.

It is also important to note that, once signed, the new legislation will not criminalize individuals for playing poker online. Instead, the bill will eventually attempt to prevent the transfer of funds to online gaming. As poker is a game of skill rather than pure chance, we hope that it will not be affected by this new bill. Speculation aside, however, we will continue to work closely with organizations like the Poker Player's Alliance to lobby for an exemption for online poker and for your right to play a truly American game from the privacy of your own home and computer.

While this last-minute congressional move has undoubtedly caused concern among our players, we want to assure you that Full Tilt Poker is legally regulated and licensed to offer its services to anyone around the world and that your day-to-day experience at the site will remain unchanged in all respects.

Full Tilt Poker

Kloaked Spirit · Royal Flush Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 869

That's fairly reassuring news amongst the other companies which are panicking and turning over at the drop of a hat. Thanks.

bottlecapthief · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject:

Thank you very much for that Markus.

byamamoto1 · Bay Area Bidness Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 2317

great to hear. thanks for the update markus.

DJ Ninjah · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:30 pm Post subject:

TYVM Markus

Gypsydc · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:33 pm Post subject:

Wow, I JUST emailed FTP support asking them to post something like this in the forum. I'm not sure if this post was in response to that or if you guys had planned on doing it anyway. Regardless, I greatly appreciate FTP keeping in touch with us regarding this issue. Thank you for the post.

intrepid69 · Straight Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 120

Thanks!

htrain3434 · Flush Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 136

The government won't go after the middle class player. They will, however, put pressure on the pros to stop promoting their sites. You will see someone like Moneymaker or Raymer made an example of. If I were a pro, I would move to Vegas and play live only! It's not worth the risk of going to prison for.

mathman1115 · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:42 pm Post subject:

I think i speak for just about all of us when i say that it is greatly appreciated that you took the time to post this Markus. Although we can never predict the future, it is very reassuring to know where we stand in all of this.

BOYNAMEDSUE · Moderator Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 9111 Location: Mypos

The reply I got from Royal Vegas Poker.

Ever more reassuring.

Dear All

Some of you may have heard that a bill prohibiting unlawful internet gambling financial transactions was passed by Congress in the United States on Friday evening. This came as a great surprise to all of us in the industry because it was attached, at the eleventh hour, to a totally unrelated �Safe Ports� bill being considered in the last few days of the current Congressional session. There is obviously a great deal of speculation and panic in the marketplace as to what impact this Act might have on the businesses of our casino clients and consequently our business, so I thought it best to clarify the position for you, as we understand it from our advisers who have studied the new Act.

Firstly, the new Act does not make internet gambling illegal, nor does it attempt to do so. The Act is aimed primarily at payment processing activities. It makes various payment processing activities unlawful if done in relation to unlawful internet gambling - but what unlawful internet gambling is, is left to the existing law, which is as you may know remains rather grey and unsettled (except in the case of online sports-betting, which remains outlawed in the US). What was legal internet gaming last year therefore still remains legal in the future.

deadmoney314 · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:50 pm Post subject:

bumpus markus Smile

In similar magnitude (but not situation) of Japan bombing Pearl Harbor, this unknown lobby that bought and sold Bill Frist's soul has awaken a sleeping giant.

lucyricardo · High Card Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 1

well now I know where I will be moving my account at Party Poker to.
Thanks FTP

ehwalled · Full House Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 188 Location: canada

UFO1947 · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 4:22 pm Post subject:

I plan on leaving my Bank roll on here. Hope there isn't too much damage.

I also hope you can help pump up your player numbers from players in Europe and asia

Bikom · High Card Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 6

This site must have the best support in the business. I am keeping my meager bankroll open. I have withdrawn most of my money from the 2 other sites I play on, mainly because I don't play there near as much as I do here, and there's no need to risk it when its not being used much. I have kept under 100 at both sites, and hope to be able to play there again when the dust settles, but I really enjoy it here, and am willing to take what I see as a very tiny risk to continue to play at Full Tilt. I trust them.

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