More Reactions To Online Gaming Attack
Published: Saturday, October 07, 2006 Online-Casinos.com
MORE REACTIONS TO ONLINE GAMING ATTACK BY U.S. POLITICIANS
Online gambling companies announce their intentions
More online gambling companies have made corporate statements on the positions they intend to take regarding the new American legislative proposal if and when it is signed into law by the President.
Noam Lanir's Empire Online group, which is sitting on a cash pile estimated at around $247 million at present, says it has commenced an in-depth review of the US situation but that it is presently difficult to assess the full effect and impact the law might have. The company will continue to consult its advisors and communicate with shareholders. In the meantime it is business as usual.
Full Tilt Poker is "...dismayed and saddened by these potential regulations" and is doing its best to determine what the changes will mean to customers.
"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."
The fourth largest online poker host, Absolute Poker took a somewhat more aggressive approach and says it will continue to welcome all poker players and is absolutely confident in its ability to continue to offer US customers the very best in online poker with the fastest secure deposit and payout solutions.
The company points out that it is privately owned, giving its business model more flexibility and creativity in operating that publicly held counterparts don't have. "Furthermore, the Safe Ports Act passed by the US Congress on September 30th neither prohibits nor makes it illegal for any US customer to transact with AbsolutePoker.com and therefore customers' experience will not change. Our business continues to run as normal and our executive team expects to see the business to continue to grow in both the short and long term."
The company is exploring options with existing payment processors and assures customers that funds are safe and secure. "Indications are that many of our payment providers will be unaffected by this law and their business will also be able to operate uninterrupted and unimpeded," it says.
"We are confident that our business, and that of our partners and suppliers, will be unaffected because while the U.S. Congress efforts potentially could block transactions conducted within the U.S. banking system, many of our payment provider’s transactions are done within the framework of the international banking system, over which the U.S. Congress has no control."
Toronto-based and London listed Excapsa, an online poker and network supplier, said in an announcement that it is firmly positioned to continue to grow and develop in line with its stated strategy of introducing new games and expanding into new markets.
"The company has US $ 47 million of cash available to support this strategy. Excapsa is currently attracting approximately one-third of its licensees' new customers from outside of the United States. The Board continues to assess and evaluate the impact of the recent industry development of the SAFE Port Act attachment and will endeavour to update shareholders accordingly.
Swedish turnkey provider Boss Media, which earlier announced that it would be asking licensees to eschew US business (see previous Online-Casinos.com/InfoPowa reports) issued an update Friday saying that with immediate effect US players can no longer make deposits through Webdollar to Boss Media casinos.
"However, they [US players] can continue wagering with their existing balances until Thursday, October 12, when access to the casino software will be discontinued," the update noted.
Boss licensee Super Vegas Casino, a Sportingbet subsidiary that uses its own banking system has already discontinued access for US players to the casino software.
