Microgaming begins blocking Kentucky residents

[BiggDawgg]

Microgaming sites have started blocking IP addresses belonging to Kentucky residents from its network of sites in an apparent reaction to an Oct. 15 decision by Judge Thomas Wingate, who presides over a state circuit court in Kentucky. In addition, the main Microgaming Web site has been down since Tuesday and as of Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. Eastern Time the site still had a "Site Not Available" message on its home page.

While some of the Microgaming sites are simply blocking Kentucky residents, others are taking more stringent measures. The affiliate program Star Partner and its network of 14 online casinos are also blocking players from the surrounding states of Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri until they are supplied with a "proof of identification in the form of a utility bill and an identification document."

Star Partner added that it understands "this may be incredibly inconvenient for the players in these selected states but unfortunately our hands our tied."

Microgaming, a major software provider to the online gambling industry, was one of the 141 online gambling sites that was subjected to a seizure order in October and given 30 days to block access to Kentucky residents on Oct. 15 by Wingate.

The judge went on to say in his ruling that if the sites in question "reasonably established to the satisfaction of the Kentucky's Justice and Safety Cabinet or this Court that such geographical blocks are operational, (they) shall be relieved from the effects of the Seizure order and from any further proceedings in the instant civil forfeiture action."

At Eurolynx.com, which uses Microgaming software, a disclaimer has been posted at the bottom of its "Viva America" page stating that while the casino is open to players from the U.S., residents of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Utah "cannot play poker or in the casino, but were welcome to play in the sportsbook."

A similar disclaimer was posted at Interops.com, another site powered by Microgaming. A link on the home page titled "Important legal notice and disclaimer" states that "no bets will be accepted in the Casino or the Poker room if placed from: Michigan, Illinois, Louisiana, Oregon, Wisconsin, Nevada, Washington, Indiana, South Dakota, New Jersey, Utah, Kentucky and New York."

[Rossman01]

I just found this out last night..

I went to Doyles to play my nightly game with some friends who also normally play (it's the Doyle's QuickDraw FR - sure it's a f.r. - and sure nearly 3,000 folks join in it.., It's over in just more than an hour....IF YOU WIN. loll - So what the heck) to not see my buds there. So, I pull up the chat box to find out WTF?? and they say stuff like "I have I.T. on the phone right now" or "I sent a help request to the help desk" - of course that didn't help because they'd been banned by Microgaming Wow - just when Doyle's became available to them again - they're blocked. Not good PR - now that they've been blocked twice - I don't think they'll be returning to Microgaming. But I'm still there - playing that tourny, My name there is Rossman01. Hope to see you.

[Wixx]

Fortune lounge has announced that they will not be accepting new players from ALL 50 States. Wonder if this will be all of microgaming?

[BiggDawgg]

From what I am hearing yes ... I have heard that all microgaming sites will no longer be taking US players, when I have more info I will post it.

[Wixx]

My affiliate was shady on whether existing US players would be able to continue playing, which sucks as I just made a deposit of $50 at Doyle's and I have $100 at PokerHost though I never deposited there.

[imported_19RK64]

Originally Posted by wixx

My affiliate was shady on whether existing US players would be able to continue playing, which sucks as I just made a deposit of $50 at Doyle's and I have $100 at PokerHost though I never deposited there.

I've head that existing players will still be allow at the Microgaming sites to play, but let me say"this is just hearsay". The big questions are, deposit's & withdraw's? in the upcomming months are they going to change?, I don't thing I'd leave much in these sites.
On the no depositing at microgamming sites, certains skins in that group have steep raked hand requirements to be able to make a withdraw of FR winnings after you make a deposit, but it don't take long to get the hands in, if desired. their are ways around that, seeing it's a multi skin..
Just wish it was looking better for us USA players.

[BiggDawgg]

According to several Microgaming Reps, all the Microgaming rooms are no longer taking new US players as of Nov 10th. But all existing players are ok (for now).

[Wixx]

Might be time to see about gathering up my funds from there soon.

[imported_19RK64]

None within the network accepts new USA players now,but Doyles remains open for USA players. I was talking in open chat with DoylesRoom, the told me they will have a new software provider in the next 2 months, for USA Players to continue to play and open accounts up.
This is all they would tell me, they wouldn't go on to tell me what provider/network. But said they are moving I talked to them on 11/28/08. Im interested in where they will go,guess time will tell :)

[BiggDawgg]

Really only 2 networks for them to choose from if they want US players .. either Cake Network or Merge Network