Online Poker Sites Suffer NETELLER’s Withdrawal

Tuesday, 23 January 2007

After a week of record player numbers on some of the big poker sites, it would now appear that the tide is turning in the opposite direction as NETELLER’s decision to pull out of the US has a devastating effect on player numbers.

After a week of record player numbers on some of the big poker sites, it would now appear that the tide is turning in the opposite direction as NETELLER’s decision to pull out of the US has a devastating effect on player numbers.
There was a similar downward trend upon the announcement of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in October, but online poker regained its footing and sites that continued to operate in the US ended up stronger than ever in the following months.
The PokerStars Sunday Million had 6,742 entrants at the weekend, down 890 from last week’s tournament, almost certainly due in large part to the NETELLER action. The attendance numbers made for a $1,348,400 prize pool.
In the Full Tilt $750,000 Guaranteed Event, the firm were left to chuck in an extra $60,000 to make up for the shortfall. Not all players were put off however as the final table saw an appearance by WSOP bracelet winner Eric Froelich.
It was a similar story over at UltimateBet and Bodog, with huge guaranteed prize pools needing a little top-up from the organisers, with $27,000 and $20,000 respectively being added.
Despite the downturn due to NETELLER’s pullout, poker sites have hinted that alternative methods of deposit and withdrawal may be possible for their US customers.



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