Hey,
Thought I should post this here. My motivations being: (a) that Pokerstars decides to not take advantage of me (b) to raise awareness as to their stand on business ethics.
Pokerstars emailed me about a year ago, telling me that my account had been flagged for suspected play in the US. After 50 or so emails back and forth of requested and supplied documents, they decided to seize approximately $250,000 (peak of my account balance this includes deposits from live EPT scores including a cash of 100k Euro) right after WCOOP of '14 on suspicions that I was playing online within the US, with no actual proof.
Pokerstars' suspicions arose from the fact that I played on a remote desktop for ~6 months which location is in Canada. There's no reason I couldn't have also been overseas whenever using the Remote Desktop. Their stand was that alone was incriminating evidence and that no contrary evidence was sufficient There were never ANY rules stating that use of RDC is not allowed. It goes against their own TOS to ban me and seize account funds. I am also now livebanned, unallowed to participate in any EPTs whatsoever.
I supplied Pokerstars with rental car receipts, bank statements which show charges in both CA and Mexico, and more. Pokerstars essentially insisted on me sending them more and more documents and told me that each preceeding document did not contain enough proof of my claims. I believe that Pokerstars was being overly predatory in their approach because of my large account balance.
I assume this decision was made by Pokerstars because they want to reenter US based jurisdictions. For example, they recently entered New Jersey for interstate play. Pokerstars wants to appear as squeaky clean as possible which is somewhat understandable, but outrageous in how they are choosing to handle my specific situation.
Also I have information that right before that WCOOP, Pokerstars emailed a big-time backer (I won't supply names to protect this person's privacy). An internal higher-up at Pokerstars notified a very well known backer that all players accounts will be looked into and closely monitored. They basically hinted to this backer that his syndicate of horses who were likely VPNing would be closely monitored. This is a gross violation of their own TOS and shows their gross unprofessionalism as a company.
To clarify, I only ever played on my personal account. This makes Pokerstars decision even more laughable. There are tons VPNs as well as random multiaccounts popping up all over the place that go unpunished and whilst playing daily.
I saw on twitter recently from a player I follow that at a recent EPT (I believe Barcelona), several peoples chip stacks were missing chips Higher-ups at Pokerstars did nothing to acknowledge this player's complaints. Either employees were stealing chips from players to give to their favorite players on breaks, or players were stealing chips from one anothers stacks with no surveillance.
The players are not protected or respected by Pokerstars. from raising rakes, and doing whatever they can to milk every last $, I think its time that Pokerstars integrity as a company is seriously questioned and brought to light on a grandscale.
Poker has been the activity that I have been most passionate about in my life. Pokerstars has threatened my livelihood, and my passion.
In my case, an obsessive fetish for rules sometimes overcomes common sense and morality. Guilty until proven innocent is Pokerstars current policy on gaming and my situation exemplifies this perfectly. I Felt this should probably be posted here.
I have am in the talks with different lawyers and plan to file a complaint with the Gaming Commission and do whatever else is necessary if Pokerstars does not change their decision regarding my Pokerstars account/balance seizure and EPT ban.
Jake
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Edit/MH:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake_Schindler
I played on a RDC owned by Globotech. Others used a RDC owned by Globotech and admitted they were playing while in US when questioned. They simply think i'm guilty by association. I never played when in the US.
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Edit/MH:
Quote:
Originally Posted by CBorders
Last edited by Mike Haven; 10-12-2015 at 04:06 PM.