Quote:
Originally Posted by bundy5
Then the question becomes surely, if the funds were to be seized by the authorities, should they be refunded to the players who knew or ought to have known that the provision of online poker services by these sites are unlawful?
In the US BF case, there was no refunding to players of money seized in relation to the illegal offering of online poker. The only refunds of that sort came from Stars, not the authorities. The authorities only provided (well actually, say they will provide - it hasn't happened yet) refunds to people who were victims of FTP's fraud against the players from assets seized in relation to that fraud. AP and UB players stand to get nothing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by IronJake
Why would the Australian authorities attempt to seize player balances and then go through the difficult process of trying to collect this money from an overseas company? More chance of me winning the WSOP main event than that occuring IMHO. The most likely scenario when this legislation is enforced would be that Pokerstars will payout and settle Australian account holders immediately, and then no longer offer real money poker to Australian residents or people within Australia. The big question is when and not if this occurs, as Abott is a 98% chance to be Prime Minister this time next week.
If the Australian authorities seize fund, it is most likely they will do so from payment processors in Australia. More chance of that occurring than you winning the WSOP ME, IMO. Pokerstars will pay out even if its processors' funds are seized. They are the only online poker copmpany that has proven it has both the will and ability to cover mass withdrawals/refunds. Anybody playing on a site other than PS has more cause to worry.