Full Tilt in Deeper Trouble

[morlspin]

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) have told British customers of beleaguered poker website Full Tilt Poker to contact their local police if they believe “they are a victim of crime”. The Channel Islands-based AGCC – who withdrew Full Tilt Poker’s licence last September – released a statement that advises all British customers of the poker room to “report the matter” to the police if they reckon they are owed money. This piece of advice from the AGCC is probably the last thing Full Tilt Poker shareholders wanted to hear, but it does appear that the poker room’s owners have been dragging their heels over the return of millions of dollars to customers, so it may well come as no great surprise to poker insiders. Groupe Bernard Tapie deal goes unmentioned However, the AGCC – which had recently been silent over the demise of Full Tilt Poker until this statement – did not refer in any way to the agreement reached between the US Department of Justice (DoJ), Full Tilt’s shareholders and French firm Groupe Bernard Tapie (GBT) for the last named to purchase the struggling poker website for $80 million back in November of last year. Of course, Full Tilt Poker was one of several poker rooms – including PokerStars and Absolute Poker – shut down by the DoJ on Black Friday as the government body made accusations of alleged violations of gambling laws when processing money transfers on April 15 last year. The poker room has also been deemed off-limits to British poker players since June 29 of last year, when the AGCC suspended their licence. 2012 Starts Badly for Full Tilt Poker While the deal with GBT is expected to be completed in the near future, no details have emerged over exactly how players will be compensated for accounts frozen by the DoJ – even with an estimated $150 million sitting in those accounts. It’s a new year but the same old story for Full Tilt Poker. The frustrations felt by their customers must be reaching boiling point, so it is likely that many will contact their local authorities. In fact, the AGCC believes “that a number of civil actions have been initiated by players against Full Tilt, some as class actions representing multiple players by UK, US and Canadian lawyers”. Expect more news on this latest development over the next few days. We at Poker News Report will, of course, keep you updated and informed. The AGCC still Logging “player complaints” The full statement released by the AGCC reads: “At the request of the police, AGCC will continue to log incoming player complaints: these records will be made available to the police. “However, following the revocation of the licences, AGCC no longer has authority to intermediate or arbitrate on player issues or disputes with Full Tilt (excepting for players registered under a Swiss address). “Players may have the following alternative options: “1. Full Tilt has been requested to provide a specific player contact: this is awaited and will be incorporated here upon receipt. “2. Any player who believes they are a victim of crime, as a result of their dealings with Full Tilt, should in the first instance contact their own local police in their country of residence and report the matter to them. These reports will then be coordinated centrally. “3. It is understood that a number of civil actions have been initiated by players against Full Tilt, some as class actions representing multiple players by UK, US and Canadian lawyers. Details of the firms concerned can be found through internet search.”