Online Poker Payments Blocked by US Government

The Poker Players Alliance accused the US government of seizing bank accounts full of money intended to pay residents who won at online poker sites.

The Poker Players Alliance announced today that the US government has interfered with the process that would pay winners at online poker sites. According to the PPA, the federal government froze bank accounts of companies that handle payment processing for Internet poker sites and their patrons.

The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York has reportedly told at least three banks to freeze the accounts, tying up millions in winning for US gamblers. The office is the same that has handled investigations into foreign online casino operators, and forced the PartyGaming settlements of the last six months.

The Poker Players Alliance says money that is being held that was meant to be distributed to US citizens adds up to more than $30 million.

Documents have been founded that confirm a judge in the Southern District granted a warrant to seize a bank account at a Wells Fargo bank in San Francisco.

Apparently, the Department of Justice is continuing its aggressive, rules-bending approach to enforcing dubious online gambling laws, even after the entry of the Obama administration and the promise of the Barney Frank regulation bill.