PokerStars Blocks Real Money Games in Dozens of Countries

Many players around the world woke up to an unwelcome surprise this morning when they tried to log in to Pokerstars to play their usual games. real money poker was no longer available to them.
The forums quickly filled with angry and confused players saying that they too had lost the ability to. Countries that have been reported to be affected include Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Occupied Territory of Palestine, Pakistan, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.
http://ca.pokernews.com/news/2014/0...l-money-games-in-dozens-of-countries-5081.htm

How strange. Wonder whats going on?

bluejay2220 said:

How strange. Wonder whats going on?

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Here is one reason poker becomes legal, blocked only Muslim countries and countries with gray market. And there is more chance to enter the market USA and get a license in many states...

Sounds disastrous.

But atleast they can withdraw their funds.

horizon12 said:

Here is one reason poker becomes legal, blocked only Muslim countries and countries with gray market. And there is more chance to enter the market USA and get a license in many states...

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Yes, when I read the list earlier today it was obvious that most of the countries on it aren't friends with the USA.

You mean the Pope can't play on poker stars anymore, he must be pissed.

31 countries presumably

1. Afghanistan
2. Bahrain
3. Bangladesh
4. Cuba
5. Egypt
6. Holy See / Vatican City
7. Iran
8. Iraq
9. Libya
10. Jordan
11. Kenya
12. Kuwait
13. Malaysia
14. Mozambique
15. Myanmar
16. Nigeria
17. North Korea
18. Northern Cyprus (Turkish jurisdictional area)
19. Occupied Palestinian Territory (Gaza Strip)
20. Pakistan
21. Qatar
22. Rwanda
23. Saudi Arabia
24. Senegal
25. Sudan
26. Syria
27. Tanzania
28. Turkey
29. United Arab Emirates
30. Yemen
31. Zimbabwe

Source: http://www.flushdraw.net/news/amaya-gaming-withdraws-pokerstars-full-tilt-brands-grey-markets/

When I saw the news on facebook that 30 countries had been banned, I was so worried, panicked actually...I googled instantly and logged into pokerstars hehehe...thankfully my country got spared the axed, at least this time.

impressive list, but these countries are from critical regions in Africa, Asia and Middle East
insecure and questionable markets for the profits

Way to go POKERSTAR,good game and well played.

The reason im this writing is not to humiliated certain party or far away from my attention to degrade them.

Recently we all know that Pokerstars has withdraw from the so called grey market.OK im not going to question their motives whether it grey,red.blue,yellow or black market.The only thing im questioning here is the way they handle their withdrawal from the market itself.It has been done with such a rush even the player in those country were shocked with the lack of notice regarding the matters.

They were even some report suggesting that some player were even in the middle of a MTTS or big cash games and then suddenly were stopped on their track and are not allowed to play or continue.

Come on Pokerstars, we dont care if no you longer interested in offering your service in those region.The only thing we care is about your integrity and the way handle the matters.

The big question is why arent player in those country werent given any notice upon your withdrawal from their country?

And for those who were still playing in Pokerstars,be afraid,be really afraid.I mean this thing can happen to you guys too anytime and anywhere.

If this how Pokerstar treat their loyal customers,i rather not be playing there anymore.Cause there is no reason great enough to justifies what have been done by Pokerstars.

I hope when people read this,they will realize and can judge by them self whether what i wrote i here make sense or just a bunch of crap to them.Anyway good game and well played Pokerstar.

Yeah it's unfortunate for the countries that have been affected by these recent developments.

Even pokerstars sponsored players from these players did not receive any prior notice so it was all very sudden and everyone playing in these affected are surprised. So you are not alone !! :icon_cycl

Guess it's time to move on for you guys. I mean move on to a different country where you can play at pokerstars and not from poker as such. At least that's what i would have liked to do if i were you.

In many countries of Europe too the situation is not entirely settled. The law prohibits in Poland, while the European else to consider. In these countries from the list, I think the more they want to avoid money laundering, the rake of these countries is relatively low for the rest. Regards.

suby_rafael said:

Yeah it's unfortunate for the countries that have been affected by these recent developments.

Even pokerstars sponsored players from these players did not receive any prior notice so it was all very sudden and everyone playing in these affected are surprised. So you are not alone !! :icon_cycl

Guess it's time to move on for you guys. I mean move on to a different country where you can play at pokerstars and not from poker as such. At least that's what i would have liked to do if i were you.

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What the he*l are you talking about.Move on to other country just to play on Pokerstar?The issue is not not about whether those player affected want to play at Pokerstar or not,it is about how Pokerstar handle the withdrawal in such a hurry without any notice,any notice.Dude do you even understand what im talking about.Obviously not.

Theres still a lot of good site out there such as 888Poker,party poker or Titan Poker.So why the he*l should this people want to move out from their own country just to play on Pokerstar.I dont even think the +ev were even that good on Pokerstars base on too many regs there.

Next time if you want to answer any question or thread,please spend some time to read and understand the issue and dont just blatantly give stup*d suggestion as moving abroad just to play poker.Man how old are you actually?:bird:

Atleast my country india is spared woohoo just saved I got worried for a moment

Shut Down on Poker Stars

So why has Poker Stars not annoucned this on their site?

The Turkey

That's a lot of countries losing access to poker stars but honestly the number of people affected is no where near the number that was affected by Black Friday . Countries like North Korea being removed makes me think maybe this is a move by stars management to get a big push towards avalailibility in USA

V6mitg6rewh6re said:

That's a lot of countries losing access to poker stars but honestly the number of people affected is no where near the number that was affected by Black Friday . Countries like North Korea being removed makes me think maybe this is a move by stars management to get a big push towards avalailibility in USA

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Thats exactly what this is .They have already filed for trade marks in the US. Of course it will be in NJ , delaware ,and california first.But after that Expect all states that have Native American casinos to be a year or two behind.It may take Poker stars a little longer in these native states but maybe not.They actually may league with the tribes to push online poker in the states where they already have casinos.Since is part of the law that you can only run an online poker site if you already have a land based gambling organization .This is what im expecting.And hoping since Im in NC ,where we have Cherokee.

Zorba said:

You mean the Pope can't play on Poker Stars anymore, he must be pissed.

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That is so f n funny Zorba .Im still new here (sorta) but i like you, you are funny !

fooled said:

The reason im this writing is not to humiliated certain party or far away from my attention to degrade them.

Recently we all know that Pokerstars has withdraw from the so called grey market.OK im not going to question their motives whether it grey,red.blue,yellow or black market.The only thing im questioning here is the way they handle their withdrawal from the market itself.It has been done with such a rush even the player in those country were shocked with the lack of notice regarding the matters.

They were even some report suggesting that some player were even in the middle of a MTTS or big cash games and then suddenly were stopped on their track and are not allowed to play or continue.

Come on Pokerstars, we dont care if no you longer interested in offering your service in those region.The only thing we care is about your integrity and the way handle the matters.

The big question is why arent player in those country werent given any notice upon your withdrawal from their country?

And for those who were still playing in Pokerstars,be afraid,be really afraid.I mean this thing can happen to you guys too anytime and anywhere.

If this how Pokerstar treat their loyal customers,i rather not be playing there anymore.Cause there is no reason great enough to justifies what have been done by Pokerstars.

I hope when people read this,they will realize and can judge by them self whether what i wrote i here make sense or just a bunch of crap to them.Anyway good game and well played Pokerstar.

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If it is like you say it was, people playing in big money games and zap all connections cut off. That´s messed up. I would be one ... I may be thrown out of club if I display my thoughts on this one. I hope and would like to believe that those people were somewhat reimbursed. The least PS could have done was send e-mails stating that on this particular day, or within the next 24 hours, we will be having who knows what and you may continue to play at your own risk due to whatever reasons.

In some countries there may be a law that would have to make PS pay them back. There is one here where I now reside. :stickyman

Now reading the article I have mixed thoughts.Some of those countries change laws for gambling, so it is not all PS´s fault. Responsibilty is also on the Country´s leaders, and most of the people who were affected by this sudden change already had an idea this was about to happen. So they were already playing at thier own risk, I believe PS pulled out suddenly, because if longer in activity they may have had to pay immense penalties or fines to those countries. The problem here is to been seen with wider aspects than that of a tunnel. It is not fair, I agree but just.

123andyp123 said:

That is so f n funny Zorba .Im still new here (sorta) but i like you, you are funny !

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I'm the resident clown.

blitzenfish said:

Yes, when I read the list earlier today it was obvious that most of the countries on it aren't friends with the USA.

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and the Vatican? perhaps is the enemy of the USA : Confundido: : Confundido:

Zorba said:

I'm the resident clown.

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Lol This is the only thing in this thread that can make me laugh! Pokerstars actions are so disrespectful and reckless from what i've read.. Really bad facts that i think are not normal for such high respected and loyal poker site, at least a notice or official statement should be made 24hours and even more before these action. If such think happen in to me , im gonna be really pissed and we as poker clients to their site should be protected against these type of action.

why would they do this ?

They are afraid of their network being infected with viruses,
scared of ebola on the wires.
Especially vatican because they have lots of missionaries in effected areas.

Zorba said:

You mean the Pope can't play on Poker Stars anymore, he must be pissed.

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I'm actually kinda surprised we're not on that list. Our online gaming legislation would almost certainly qualify us as a "grey market" at best...