Permanently Banned from PokerStars and Full Tilt

WinglessSoldier · Nov 27, 2013

So firstly, I would like to mention that I've been banned for about two months now and that I was banned for playing under-age. I signed up in June of 2013 at the age of 17. I turn 18 in July of which I decided to create my own account. I gave them my id and waited for their response. They responded that since I played under-age that I'm no longer welcome to play and I'm permanently barred from returning to their gaming client. I was completely fine (yet a little be disappointed) with their decision. I came across a few posts last night on several forums having people playing under-age and yet getting away with a warning or being temporary banned until they turn 18. I couldn't understand on why I got permanently banned for only playing under-gaming for a month and a half, while other's played since they were 16 and got a less severe punishment. I emailed pokerstars with only a response stating that they're decision is finally and will no longer be look at. Do you feel this is fair? Do I deserve a punishment this harsh? Like, I can't even play on Full Tilt and I signed up at 18 there.

Zorba · Nov 27, 2013

Even though I feel sorry for you about what has happened, but you broke their rules and whatever punishment they feel is required you have to abide by it, It is standard policy from what I have heard.

As for reading about others not getting banned, I would not believe everything you read on the interweb.

vinylspiros · Nov 27, 2013

Yea, pokerstars is pretty serious when it comes down to breaking their rules or if you do anything against TOS.

I don't really think it is fair cause its not like you did anything super bad but, im not them so... Unlucky Bud.

jimmylytle2 · Nov 27, 2013

Well, I know what some teenagers did when I was on my Walmart walk tonight. They just each grabbed a case of Miller light and ran out of the store. Some underage pranks you get away with, some you do not.

BTW, if everyone is speeding and the policeman stops you, it's your unlucky day.

DonV73 · Nov 27, 2013

I agree with PS that they banned you for ever, but I also think that they should apply their rules they everyone who broke the same rules, without any discrimination or exception of any kind.

And I was going to say that it really sucks that you can't on PS for the rest of your life.. but is it really?

)

Debi · Nov 27, 2013

It could depend on the country you are in.

I know some people who started playing years ago when they were underage and still play today but things have changed.

You put the entire company at risk when you do that. Some countries have very strict laws regarding underage gambling and they expect PS and FT to ensure they are not enabling underage gambling. When someone gets caught they need to make examples of them - and also show that they take extreme measures against it.

I feel bad for you - but your impatience and insistence on playing a few months early has cost you potentially a lifetime of being able to play.

And things just got tougher in canada - your choices are going to be slim.

Cokatoo56 · Nov 27, 2013

If you you are older than 18 now, assuming you are not breaking any other T&C, it would be fair that they allow you to play again.
After all, they are based in a tax haven and as far as I know, they pay zero tax. We could reproach them that they don't pay tax in the countries where they make money. They are not fully ethical either.
but well, I don't decide, and no one does on this forum.

As DonV73 says, you may be thankful instead. Thanks to PS, you can now focus on better things in life other than this rigged game. Oops, it's not rigged says the mega thread...

Cokatoo56 · Nov 27, 2013

Maybe it's time to think about getting a new identity and moving to a different address

naruto_miu · Nov 27, 2013

Why would you confess to it? Also another question, but you mentioned that you had a account with your info on it, and when you turned 18 wanted to make another account with your info again? How come, was 1 account not adequate enough for you?

RickH1983 · Nov 27, 2013

I agree that they did it to make an example of you. Is it fair? It is their business you didn't follow the rules. They have to protect their business in any country that they can. Sites don't want to lose anymore ground than they already have.

You should change your name and get a new method of funding your account(cc or bank account).

AlfieAA · Nov 27, 2013

man that sucks, sorry dude...should have waited until you were 18 and if you had to reg with a site then ffs make it a crappy one like party or something lol...

psychotie · Nov 27, 2013

In moment u can do anything. But wait a while , let say 3 years, and then u write a mail to pokerstars support. In this u declare that u made a mistake and u are really sorry and u never ever do anything against thier TOC again. With a little bit of luck , they will open ur acc again.
Gl on the felts

SofaKingCrazy · Nov 27, 2013

Now you are in the same boat as us Americans, it's not the end of the world. Carry on and good luck.

sleepymike · Nov 27, 2013

Yes seems extreme to be banned for life, but a good way to stop underage players from playing and exposing PS to possible legal action would be to ban players and hope they get the word out that this is not tolerated. They have more than enough players at present so banning some would have a positive impact for them.

loomis311 · Nov 27, 2013

Unfortunately, they are making an example out of you. I knew of a person that got caught playing underage several years ago. I remember he was punished, but it definitely was not a lifetime ban. I think banning you for life is a bit harsh. They could have just done something like banning you for a few years. Fortunately there are still several other internet poker clients that you can choose from.

TimboJonez · Nov 28, 2013

that's a shame man, sounds like they have gotten more strict

starting_at_the_bottom · Nov 28, 2013

You broke the rules, and they have banned you in an attempt to protect themselves.

I have no sympathy.

bernotas22 · Nov 28, 2013

glad that they banned you, breaking the rules deserves punishment if you can't figure out the simple fact that the site is 18+ you probably shouldn't be anywhere near the two best poker sites out there by miles

billy198702 · Feb 23, 2014

I do need to say I agree with there policy you need to look it on different ways if you playunder aged you could manipulate all tournaments since if you win a certain amount t they need to pay it to ya if they figure your not on a valid gamble age according the law the tournament already isn't a valid one

Second off all I think asking your parents if you can play with there details is the only solution to this matter than as long as they agree you fine

el_magiciann · Feb 23, 2014

I don't think that apology will change their minds, but you can try after some years, it is not cool that you can't play there, but you can look for different good poker lobbies, i hope that you will find good one where you can play!

kungfupanda1105 · Feb 25, 2014

Well hope it works out for you, u can always try live poker

n3rv · Feb 26, 2014

bernotas22 said:
glad that they banned you, breaking the rules deserves punishment if you can't figure out the simple fact that the site is 18+ you probably shouldn't be anywhere near the two best poker sites out there by miles

This is a harsh attitude in my opinion and part of the mentality of why poker is dying. A lot of older pros played underage. There is hardly any difference at all between 17 and 18 - only in the eyes of the law. Breaking the rules when you have control over them is one thing e.g. collusion, stealing, fraud, but it is completely different to when you break rules that discriminate against you due to something beyond your control e.g. your age, race, gender, nationality etc.

Ironically the only mistake the OP made was by not committing fraud in the first place as if he had've had the wit to ask an adult he knew for their details when he first signed up then he could have signed up again as an adult no problem. It's just, yet again, another example of how a rule wastes time punishing the wrong people and forces them to break further, potentially more serious, rules.

I understand PS adhering to the law for their own sake. However, one could also argue, if the law doesn't consider him an adult when he made the offence, then surely now as an adult his misdemeanour should be wiped from his record. If the PS rule is that you are guilty for life then by that logic PS should also ban all of their pros who also played under-age.

Zorba · Feb 26, 2014

I wonder if the OP is ever going to comment in here again.

billy198702 said:
Second off all I think asking your parents if you can play with there details is the only solution to this matter than as long as they agree you fine

He has already been banned and you suggest that he do more things against the T&C.

What things against their T&C do you do, it sounds like you don't care about the T&C that every poker site makes us agree to, no wonder ppl get banned.

Cephas · Feb 26, 2014

Does the Punishment fit the crime? No, but if you are not willing to wait until your 18 to play poker, then you have to be willing to accept your punishment. At your age you should be dating or other kid activity anyway. IMHO.

Cephas · Feb 26, 2014

n3rv said:
This is a harsh attitude in my opinion and part of the mentality of why poker is dying. A lot of older pros played underage. There is hardly any difference at all between 17 and 18 - only in the eyes of the law. Breaking the rules when you have control over them is one thing e.g. collusion, stealing, fraud, but it is completely different to when you break rules that discriminate against you due to something beyond your control e.g. your age, race, gender, nationality etc.

Ironically the only mistake the OP made was by not committing fraud in the first place as if he had've had the wit to ask an adult he knew for their details when he first signed up then he could have signed up again as an adult no problem. It's just, yet again, another example of how a rule wastes time punishing the wrong people and forces them to break further, potentially more serious, rules.

I understand PS adhering to the law for their own sake. However, one could also argue, if the law doesn't consider him an adult when he made the offence, then surely now as an adult his misdemeanour should be wiped from his record. If the PS rule is that you are guilty for life then by that logic PS should also ban all of their pros who also played under-age.

Really? How do you justify you comments? There is a difference between 17 and 18. It is 1 year. It is a rule. Where do you draw the line? Ok, one more shot at the bar. That one shot puts you over the limit and you get caught DUI. 10000 dollars later and a permanent criminal record. But it was only 1 more drink.
What happened in the past is a whole lot different now. Poker has a black eye in the view of a lot of people. We have to do everything in our power to change that perception. If it means setting an example, so be it.
IMHO.

Permanently Banned from PokerStars and Full Tilt

WinglessSoldier

Enthusiast

Zorba

27

vinylspiros

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jimmylytle2

Rock Star

DonV73

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Debi

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Cokatoo56

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Cokatoo56

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naruto_miu

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RickH1983

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AlfieAA

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psychotie

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SofaKingCrazy

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sleepymike

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loomis311

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TimboJonez

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starting_at_the_bottom

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bernotas22

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billy198702

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el_magiciann

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kungfupanda1105

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n3rv

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Zorba

27

Cephas

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Cephas

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