On April 15, 2011, three of the most popular online poker sites had their domains seized by the American government. While American players have been forced to abandon their accounts with Poker Stars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute poker, American companies are willingly severing ties to save face.
According to EGaming Review, ESPN has removed all ads for online poker from its website and its television stations. Viewers will also no longer be able to view the North American Poker Tour (sponsored by Poker Stars). ESPN has stated that The World Series of Poker will be broadcast as normal, however, as the brand has not been affected by Black Friday’s events.
Wynn, another American-based gambling company, has also distanced itself from Poker Stars, just a few months after signing a deal to work with the online poker brand. A statement from the company read:
““The decision was reached as a result of the indictment unsealed by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York”.
In Europe, a more positive outcome has been seen, as an influx of players have located to sites like BoDog and other European-based gambling companies. Additionally, European players can still play on Poker Stars, Absolute Poker and Full Tilt, as all three companies have obtained .co.uk and .eu domains.
