How do you pay for poker?

Hi,

I am Austrian business journalist researching the online gambling industry.

Since we in Europe allow online gambling and don't plan to ban it we are concerned about has been going on the US in recent years!

Since a lot of the major payment processors involved in online gambling are from Europe I want to understand how much the recent legislation, UIEGA and the final rule on UIEGA this January, hurts their business.

The regulation seems to be pretty successful, from what I can tell from forums etc. practically all credit or debit cards and most major e-wallets are not available to American players anymore.

I would like to know which payment options are left for you as an American player to use?

What's your experience with these payment processors? Are they trustworthy or shady, are they efficient or slow and unreliable etc.?

What about Micrograming blocking American players? Are there any players among you who managed to avoid being blocked?

I would be glad for any responses on the forum and of course if somebody would give me an (anonymous) interview by email or Skype - that would be great!

Thank you all and good luck in the next round!

Just a small correction...Microgaming (Poker and Casinos) did not BLOCK American Players, they just stopped allowing new ones to JOIN. If you had a previous account you can still play. My account is good at several Microgaming sites.

They did block some states, mine included (OR), for a period of time. Then they stopped blocking it. I asked their support about this and they said they were still supposed to be blocking it and that I shouldn't play. This was about 4 months ago at Doyle's Room. Doyle's has now moved to a new network and I can use it again, although I don't like it as well as the Microgaming one.

I'm guessing the 12 normal states they have never allowed and Kentucky

Did they add more?

E-checks are still a great way to put money into accounts for US players...PS, FTP, UB, and others use it for deposit and withdrawal, and other than some minor delays with WD's, I've never heard of anyone having a problem with them.

The most reliable, so far at least, put painfully slow method has been receiving the checks in the mail. I have yet to have any problems with this method, besides the fact that it can be slow some times, but I don't have to worry much about it being not available ie. moneybookers.

They did allow these states for awhile. I don't know when they re-started the U.S. exactly (several months earlier, I think), but I had a couple good months on before they re-banned Oregon.

As far as depositing, I've never had a problem with a business VISA card; my personal card declined, however.

Please do not answer any more of these questions as it may be a way for the government to find more ways to hamper you from play as the OP may be an interweb spy.
I may be just paranoid but that is who I am, plus I have been drinking.

But you're from Canada! I thought Canadians had it free and clear when it comes to poker.

Oh wait, I see. You want more U.S. fish playing. Never mind.

+1

It is unwise to answer any of the OP's questions.

AN interweb spy would not have to ask such questions....They answers are already easily found by basic research and undercover work.

I mean..don't you guys realize there are already operatives that have been playing online poker and discovering these methods. (ask Bodog)

No matter how it looks...the Govt is not as stupid as they generally look

On the other hand, no reason not to be cautious. Why take a chance and answer

The OP is highly suspicious. He claims to be a business journalist but he doesn't give his name or homepage. He still hasn't returned to the forum.

Hmmm, what do you think he is up to?

I think he might be watching us right now, to see if we will reveal any useful information!

He must be logged on as a guest.

I like Echeck. The clearing time for deposits on Pokerstars is not as fast as I would have liked, but it seems fairly reliable so far.

I sell cats to Chinese Take Outs and Western Union the money to my Aunt who then knocks on a certain door at #26 Eastland St. The money appears in my account the next day.