Vegas Partners no longer welcome US signups
08.02.2007The latest online casino group to reverse out of the US market appears to be Vegas Partners Lounge, according to player and affiliate communications from the group this week.
The Microgaming powered group comprises well established brands including Cinema Casino, Crazy Vegas Casino, Maple Casino, Sun Vegas Casino, 777 Dragon Casino, Arthurian Casino, Casino US, Casino UK and Crazy Online Poker Room.
In communications to players and affiliates the group said:
"This week we announced that it is with great regret that we can no longer accept any new US players at the Vegas Partner brands.
"The reason for this is that it has become impossible for the online casinos we represent to pay out US players. Therefore, the only honorable option was to deny play to new players residing in the US and to block credit card purchases. This has been due to the extremely strict legislation recently passed in the US. Unless a solution is found, this decision will unfortunately stand."
Affiliates in the USA were told:
"AFFILIATE PAYMENTS
"Please note that we can no longer make Affiliate payments using Check or ACH. Please contact us to make alternative arrangements."
Players immediately noticed the different treatments proposed for existing players vs banned new players, with a common comment being: "Let me get this straight... They can't pay any US players, so they block new sign ups and credit card purchases. Any US players who have money in their VPL casino accounts are screwed. Does that about sum it up?"
Rumours were also rife that Jackpot Factory group and Big Dollar casino were also leaving US players behind, but this was strongly denied by both entities. A Jackpot Factory spokesman wrote to one enquirer:
"First, I would like to assure you that there is no truth on the matter of The Jackpot Factory Group leaving the US market. We have high loyalty to our American players and we are doing everything in our power to find new deposit and withdrawal options for our US players.
"Further to this, at the moment we are still processing withdrawals via ACH and due to the situation in the US we are still not clear for how long this method will be available for US players.
"Rests assured that any change or update will be posted on our websites and be sent to all of our players via email. We will not keep you in the dark."
