FBI Cracks Down on Online Poker

[Hauldren Collider]

Yes, for instance as a Virginian I of course have about 30 or so voluntary slaves working my plantations. Tradition

[Aeson]

Who hijacked HC's account? That was a good post...

[ColdWizard]

Link

Phil Ivey says he's sitting out the World Series of Poker and is suing Tiltware, the software and marketing provider for Full Tilt Poker, over its failure to reimburse online player accounts in the wake of the federal online poker sting.

"I am deeply disappointed and embarrassed that Full Tilt players have not been paid money they are owed. I am equally embarrassed that as a result many players cannot compete in tournaments and have suffered economic harm," Ivey, who has played online on Full Tilt and appeared in the company's TV commercials, said in a statement posted on his website.

"I am not playing in the World Series of Poker as I do not believe it is fair that I compete when others cannot. I am doing everything I can to seek a solution to the problem as quickly as possible," he said.

Ivey, widely regarded as one of the game's best players, has won eight WSOP bracelets and $5.3 million at the annual tournament in Las Vegas.

In an entry on his Twitter page, Tom Dwan, another prominent poker pro associated with Full Tilt, said that he would play in the WSOP, which started Tuesday.

The entry on Dwan's Twitter page said: "I'll be playing wsop. Feel fine about that morally b/c I've already said I'll give back 100% I was paid by ftp if players aren't paid in full"

Dwan was ranked sixth in ESPN.com's most recent poker player ratings. Ivey was No. 2, behind Erik Seidel.

Full Tilt was one of three online sites shut down by the FBI in an April crackdown on online gambling. Two other poker sites, PokerStars and Absolute Poker, were shut down and 11 people were indicted on charges they tricked banks into illegally processing payments for gambling.

PokerStars and Full Tilt subsequently reached agreements with federal officials to reopen their domain names in order to repay players. While PokerStars has announced it has repaid players, a message on the Full Tilt Poker site advises users that it's still working on returning their money.

"Please know that your funds are safe and secure and we are working to resolve the distribution of these funds," the site says.

Ivey said he wasn't waiting any longer and decided to take action.

"My name and reputation have been dragged through the mud, through the inactivity and indecision of others, and on behalf of all poker players I refuse to remain silent any longer," Ivey said. "I have electronically filed a lawsuit against Tiltware related to the unsettled player accounts. As I am sure the public can imagine, this was not an easy decision for me.

"I wholeheartedly refuse to accept non-action as to repayment of players funds and I am angered that people who have supported me throughout my career have been treated so poorly," he said.

"I sincerely hope this statement will ignite those capable of resolving the problems into immediate action," he added.