USA Government SEIZES Major Online Poker Sites

Written by Thomas | Friday, April 15th, 2011

The United States government has made a drastic move in their fight against online poker, seizing major websites such as PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker and UB.com, along with 75 bank accounts used by the companies to launder billions of dollars through a complicated network of financial transactions fitted to serve USA customers and their playing needs.

If you visit any of the aforementioned poker sites you will notice an FBI warning splashed across the homepage’s of their websites, claiming that an FBI warrant has been issued to 11 executives representing all the “Poker Companies” for violating federal money laundering laws. Check below for the exact message being placed on these poker sites at the moment.

From initial reports the Department of Justice is only cracking down on executives and any financial institutions that helped facilitate any transactions that helped players in the USA circumvent UIGEA laws in regards to depositing or withdrawing funds. Players will NOT BE held accountable and are not apart of any indictment.

Federal prosecutors from the state of New York unsealed a federal indictment asking for the immediate seizure of PokerStars, Full Tilt, AP and UB.com, all bank accounts connected with money transferring to and from the poker sites and players, as well as demanding the arrest of 11 major executives that founded these online poker rooms.

This statement is directly taken from the FULL indictment papers that have been filed from the southern district of New York and U.S. attorney Preet Bharara:

“The Indictment and Civil Complaint seek at least $3 billion in civil money laundering penalties and forfeiture from the Poker Companies and the defendants. The District Court issued an order restraining approximately 76 bank accounts in 14 countries containing the proceeds of the charged offenses. Pursuant to a warrant for arrest in rem issued by the U.S. District Court, the United States also seized five Internet domain names used by the Poker Companies to operate their illegal online businesses in the United States.”

You can also view the full scope of the actual indictment through THIS LINK.

A surge of traffic has hit major poker forums like 2+2, PocketFives and Donkdown.com, causing these sites to crash and slow down dramatically. We’ll be keeping you updated on this as we hear more about the story and watch it unfold.