Internet Poker Payment Processor Accounts Frozen BY US Government

The Justice Department is beginning to make their mark when it comes to Internet gambling. It has now been reported that seizure warrants have been secured, and payment processor accounts have been frozen by the US government .

The Poker Players Alliance is one of the leading lobbyists to ensure that online poker is kept out of any Internet gaming laws. They were not pleased when they found out that the government had frozen these accounts, which are said to be holding $30 million in winnings.

"This is a major blow to the online gambling industry," said observer Neil Harvey, "the government with this move is now officially saying that online poker is illegal in the US, and that is going to cause a lot of controversy."

The PPA is fresh off of their victory in Minnesota where a lawmaker has withdrawn his Bill to stop Internet service providers from blocking online gambling websites. The lawmaker, after looking at the facts, decided instead to push for regulations of Internet gambling.

The regulations are also the plan of Representative Barney Frank. Frank has introduced two new Bills in Congress, one that would block the rules for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act from taking effect, and another to outline how to legalize and regulate online gambling.

The first Frank Bill was proposed to stop what the government has done this week with the online poker sites. he believes the rules for the UIGEA need to be defined and examined before the government begins meddling in the Internet gambling industry.

The PPA has told the Associated Press that the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York has ordered three banks to freeze accounts. The AP also reported that a seizure warrant was issued last week for an account at a Wells Fargo bank in San Francisco.

June 9, 2009
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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