Pokerstars returns US$100m to US players
Pokerstars has returned $100m to US online poker players since 'Black Friday', the operator reveals to eGaming Review - Company underscores commitment to worldwide customers.
Pokerstars has returned more than US$100m to US online poker players from its “past US-facing operations” nearly a month after ‘Black Friday’, the operator has told eGaming Review.
In a statement released this afternoon Pokerstars said it had returned the money and that it would continue to “service requests” following the company’s agreement with the US Department of Justice on April 20 that allowed US customers to cash out their balances with the Isle of Man licensed operator. It is unknown if Pokerstars owes any further funds to US players.
An official release from Pokerstars on 27 April confirmed the company had begun the process of returning player funds and that “the funds to cover these withdrawal requests are readily available”.
The founders of PokerStars, Full Tilt and Absolute Poker were among 11 people accused of alleged bank fraud, illegal gambling offences and money laundering in an indictment unsealed by federal prosecutors on 15 April.
The 52-page indictment and civil complaint seen seeks the forfeiture of at least US$3bn in civil money laundering penalties from the three companies and their defendants, alleging they “deceived or directed others to deceive United States banks and financial institutions into processing billions of dollars in payments.”
Restraining orders were also issued against 76 bank accounts in 14 countries used by the poker companies and their payment processors. Five internet domain names used by the poker companies in the US were also seized. An FBI notice of the indictment charges greeted players seeking to access PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, UltimateBet.com, UB.com and AbsolutePoker.com this evening.
Since the indictments only four individuals, all payment processors, have been arrested, charged and bailed.
John Campos, one of the principals of SunFirst Bank in Utah was arrested on 15 April and accused of allegedly processing gambling payments for poker companies in return for a $10m investment in the bank. Bradley Franzen, one of the alleged payment processors indicted pleaded not guilty to the nine charges brought against him. Chad Elie pleaded not guilty to nine charges including conspiracy to violate UIGEA. Ira Rubin was arrested in Guatemala. The 52-year-old Costa Rica resident was charged on nine counts including bank fraud and money laundering allegations.
The whereabouts of the remaining indicted individuals including Isai Scheinberg, founder of Pokerstars and Paul Tate, former payment processor manager is unknown.