Three of the largest online poker sites, Pokerstars.com, FullTiltPoker.com and AbsolutePoker.com have had thier domains seized by the FBI on Friday, April 15, 2011.
If you attempt to access these sites today, you will see a message left by the FBI and Dept of Justice stating "This domain name has been seized by the F.B.I. pursuant to an Arrest Warrant in Rem obtained by the US Attorney's Office..."
According to Reuters, charges were filed against 11 people involved. The charges involve violation of internet anti-gaming laws and fraud by "tricking regulators and banks into processing billions of dollars in illegal internet gambling proceeds." The FBI claims these people violated the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
The FBI also issued restraining orders against a reported 75 bank accounts across 14 nations, which were allegedly used by the companies to launder billions of dollars in gambling proceeds.
U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, Preet Bharara said in a statement that “These defendants concocted an elaborate criminal fraud scheme, alternately tricking some U.S. banks and effectively bribing others to assure the continued flow of billions in illegal gambling profits.”
All three of the companies involved are registered in countries outside the United States. Full Tilt Poker is based in Ireland, PokerStars is based in Isle of Man and Absolute Poker is based in Antigua.
Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato of New York, chairs a Poker advocacy group called Poker Players Alliance (PPA). Former Senator D'Amato issued a statement following the legal action Friday.
“On behalf of the millions of poker players across the country, we are shocked at the action taken by the U.S. Department of Justice today against online poker companies and will continue to fight for Americans’ right to participate in the game they enjoy," he said. "Online poker is not a crime and should not be treated as such"and said the group would offer "detailed analysis when the full facts become available.”
-Allen Lowder April 17, 2011
