"30 September 2010 - PokerStars today announced that it would cease providing real-money poker to residents of Washington State. To date, PokerStars has operated in Washington on the basis of legal opinions where the central advice was that the state could not constitutionally regulate Internet poker, or at least could not discriminate in favor of local cardrooms and against online sites. Last week, however, the Washington Supreme Court for the first time rejected that position and upheld the state's Internet gaming prohibition.
In light of this decision, following extensive consultation with our legal advisors, we believe that the right course of action is to now block real money play by Washington residents on the PokerStars.com site. This policy will remain in effect until the law changes or subsequent legal challenges succeed. Our decision to block real money play in Washington does not affect the balance of funds in customer accounts, which remain completely safe. Our payment services team continues to be available to Washington State residents to assist with cashout requests.
We regret this decision, which will no doubt disappoint our customers in Washington State. However, in all of the jurisdictions where we operate, we are committed to making responsible decisions that are based on a full and considered understanding of the most up-to-date legal advice.
PokerStars remains supportive of passing sensible Internet poker regulation in the United States that will provide much-needed tax revenues and formalize consumer protections. PokerStars operates under those conditions, complying with rigorous licensing regimes, for its worldwide operations in the Isle of Man (UK), and for local operations in Italy, France and Estonia."

As a resident of Washington State, I'm pretty pissed.

Thoughts?

I hate this...

so it begins

horrible day for online pokerz. what states could be next?

FU Washington State.

Also what about FTP in Washington?

Afaik, this seems like it will be it for the foreseeable future. Washington State has always been the most Anti Online Gambling State in the US.

It really seems like some kind of unity from poker players needs to happen here in WA.

I'm still able to get on a real money table on FTP, thank god.

Washingtonians go through Badugi and Triple Draw Withdrawal

FAQ for WA residents:

http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/news/washington/faq

This all has to do with hr.2267 ..If the bill gets passed and they continue to break Washington State laws. They would not be granted a licence.

They are just taking precautions.

But as for Washington state players, I don't think the passage of HR 2267 will matter. I think WA will opt-out of the legislation to continue appeasing the land based casino's.

Ahhh, so nice to be living in a true democracy, unlike most of the world.

Oh wait...

OMFG! Imagine my shock when I go to play a tournament this morning and I get a message saying Washington residents can no longer play for real money! WTF??? These people are messing with my livelihood! Is this the end of the world? Should I go on a shooting rampage?

...deep breaths...

How difficult is it to change addresses? I guess it's time to implement contingency plan B...casino 3 miles away, see all you WA online players there. fhj2poij2o3irj2938r2r32pjfarmgk24q8rjr342proi2jro4 =tq49th24

Is there any reason not to expect FTP to do the same? This really sucks.

I guess I need to hurry and clear my ftp bonuses before I am ****ed. **** you Wa st legislature.

This is probably what the people behind the legislation are wanting you to do, and a boom in local casino traffic may encourage other legislatures to pass similar measures.

I even managed to wake up earlier than usual today ready to put in a decent session. I would like to throw out another **** you to the WA state legislature

oh man this can not be good

I for one am happy as I am a online poker loser, more time to take money from fishies with too much money at Snoqualmie

I guess that if you want to live on the edge of the world then you have to be prepared to tolerate edge of the world legislation.

Move!

And just a few weeks ago we had some good news coming out of Congress, and now this.... one step forward, two steps back...it really sux...

Wow, now I'm really glad I didn't decide to move to Seattle last year when I had the chance. I had been regretting not moving there, until today.

Two other threads on this:

Poker Legislation: PokerStars to Stop Serving Washington State Residents
The Zoo: PokerStars to Stop Serving Washington State Residents

This is not a good thing... not at all..

I suspect FTP will be discontinuing Washington State users within the next few weeks as well.

It's already happened. I cannot sit at any ring games, sngs, etc