[Tim G]

This is a scare post. Those with their heads firmly entrenched in sand need not respond. To them hope is ruling over logic.

People will start to have serious problems getting their e-money off sites (not worth shit until converted). The options, for deposit and withdraw are constantly changing. At some point soon, if you do not get your money out somehow, you will be faced with losing it completely, or physically going to the pokerstars bank to get your money. One can imagine the red tape involved in that.

Pokerstars safe funds statement. This statement, if you think about the vague and ambiguous nature is worrisom.

"poker player's account balances are held in segregated accounts and not used for any operational expenses. These segregated accounts are managed by a leading European Bank. The arrangements ensure that Pokerstars can at all times fulfill its obligations towards players, and provide further reassurance that players' funds are always secure with pokerstars."

"not used for any operational expenses" does not mean that players' funds are not used for financial purposes. It is a slick statement. Very ambiguous. Companies operational expenses might be a drop in the bucket.

"managed by ... bank" what type of management of the funds are being done? probably growth rate management, investment, capitilazation of the funds.

"can fulfill obligations" does not necessarily mean you will get paid. Probably has to do with regulations set out in user agreement.

provide further reassurance that players' funds are always secure with pokerstars." I want to know if banks stop cashing checks, can a US player come to Europe, and get paid??

[TheJacob]

If banks stop cashing checks....what does that have to do with pokerstars?

This issue isn't even about pokerstars. Its about our shit government.

[jtown1010]

You realise stars makes a great deal of money every year, and it would be irresponsible to throw all of that potential money away to steal a few measly bankrolls don't you think?

[McStraddle]

banks wont stop cashing checks that have nothing to do with online gamblings, which is what our checks are. end of story and post.

[threeven]

The funds are in a bank, probably getting interest that pokerstars keeps. Your money is just as safe as it would be in your bank at your home.

[lordxixor101]

I don't get the point of this post.

Yes, pokerstars is keeping your money separate. I'm sure they are earning interest on your money, but banks (as a whole) are very safe. Plus, I just don't see why PokerStars would risk what they have to take your bankroll.

Pokerstars has tons of players online 24/7. They aren't doing anything too risky with your money, because one allegation will significantly hurt business.

I've never heard of anyone having serious problems getting money from PokerStars. Not saying it's never happened, but I haven't. Of all the sites, they are probably the one that I trust the most.

[MattieBoy131]

sigh... why do people always make these stupid posts about how our money isnt safe in a multi-million (prob. billion, im just being conservative) dollar international corporation. the only way you'll ever know you're money is safe is by having it in your own damn hands. banks use funds that are not their own to pay out loans to other individuals... so should we not trust the banks anymore? so we stop buying stocks and mutual funds because that money is no longer "money" once it is in stock? i mean look at enron, tyco, etc., they should scare the living shit out of us and make us stop buying stocks cause its obviously not safe.

PS - welcome to life.

[Nole91]

Stupid scare post.

You demonstrate why 90% lawyers are useless (I can say this since I have a legal background).

The obvious intent of the Stars statement is to demonstrate a segregation of Player Account Balances and Operating Funds. Operating expenses are paid from the rake and fees- they don't "borrow" from player accounts to keep the lights on.

Anyone currently playing online should realize the inherent risk of changing US legislation and enforcement in regards to funding and cashouts from gaming sites. The risk is with the US government and not pokerstars.

[Tim G]

i guess the overall point, even if not clearly stated is that the gov't will make it impossible at some point to cash checks from poker destinations. Just because it hasn't happened yet is not an argument. The Feds sure seem to have US Banks scared, and all the major players in online poker finance have been shut down. It would not be hard for the Feds to put enough pressure on the US Banks to stop the cashing of poker checks. I am aware that they are not issued by stars, but flagginng whatever institution issued the check should not be a problem. I have seen them come from a Bank in Fla. from party for example.

Why do people fail to see the obvious? At some point, the first person with a big fat poker check will not be permitted to deposit/cash his or her check. It won't be worth the paper it is printed on. After 90 days the check will expire, and the funds, amazingly never left Stars. It's about Stars being in the catbird seat, and looking like a victim when the FEDS stop online poker.

Deny the truth. It will take legislation for online poker to survive. Ignore the obvious. I would be nervous as hell if I had a large amount owed to me.

[dmmikkel]

Ok. After the new law both stars and FullTilt has gone down a lot. Now at the SAME TIME. I can't help but to think someone is making this happen.

partypoker is working right now, and they don't allow americans, while both Stars and FullTilt is down. Who is behind this? I blame Bush obv....

[DeepRed2]

Keep your money safe... Invest it in Enron!

Am I topical or what?

[BrianComeaux]

round and round the merry-go-round

[DexterCain]

why would you feel the need to make ANOTHER THREAD ABOUT THIS?

[spyhard]

Anyone else thinks its strange that 2 largest are down at the same time. Can we cay US gov have better programmers, although its hard to believe.

[woo8810]

donk post of the day..........

[melbournejoe]

whoever it is, i bet they're wearing a suit.

[DexterCain]

you're all retarded

[MonkeyCowboy]

<<<<<<< Tin Foilhats
http://zapatopi.net/afdb/

[dmmikkel]

seriously, it would make sense and i don't doubt for a second they would do it

[hoorayforjaded]

oh god, i hope not. if it's any consolation, when i was in the military most of our equipment was pretty antiquated, so the chance that the government has better machinery than the poker sites is fairly slim! They might have better programmers, but they're probably working with one hand tied behind their backs! :)

[dicko999111]

Pokersites being attacked?

DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Somethings going on and cybe blackmail is my top guess
dicko

[Halfbaked107]

Suit you say? Maybe its this guy......

[coachmark1]

I waited ever since echeck and neteller became no longer available until two weeks ago...then I signed up and verified and waited..........until today at 530pm when my deposit finally became available....and wish I would have came here first to see all the problems with FT!

LMAO at the $50.00 that I probably lost.... and never even played a hand with! :) Is that my sign from God????

[spyhard]

Here hoping. In my experiece they should have much better resources, just seems strange.

[DexterCain]

omg just stop

[Pyradox]

Not just the pokersites... I was booted off of AIM and these pages on this site are loading hellish slow.

[MadProfesor]

[ShooterJ]

p5s has been loading slow lately f the man

[Adam Emperor]

All the 9-11 conspiracy theories....are a government conspiracy

[dmmikkel]

There HAS to be a common factor to all this... Just can't imagine its a coincidence