blonde poker forum

Just received this email from willhills - wondering if anyone has heard anything as I hadn't seen any news on it (yet)?

Its to affiliates so it doesnt relate to me (i signed up as an affiliate some time ago), thought it might be interesting though given the current political situation.



Closure of your William Hill account
   IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT    
          
     

I wish to inform you that William Hill has today taken steps to cease accepting Casino and Poker business from US clients for the foreseeable future.

Please note that this decision will not affect any existing US generated commissions you may be entitled to.

All US registered clients are being informed of these changes and will be advised how to withdraw any existing balances they may have on their account.

However should any of your registered players contact you concerning the withdrawal of an existing account balance please advise them they can access their accounts via the following URL: http://www.willhill.com

They will then need to login, and by selecting 'My Account', they will be able to choose 'Make a Withdrawal'

If you have any questions or concerns relating to these changes please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below.

Kind Regards,

Gary
___________________
Gary Kane
Affiliate Marketing Manager
William Hill PLC

Are you registered as an affiliate?

 http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/27092006/140/william-hill-halts-online-gaming.html

I got this today too, but I don't have any Yanks on my books.

WILLIAM HILL PULLS PLUG ON U.S. GAMBLING
By Tim Hobden, PA City Staff
Bookmaker William Hill said today it had stopped taking casino and poker bets from US customers amid confusion over internet gambling laws there.
Online sports betting contravenes the 1961 Wire Act in America, which bans the placing of bets on sporting events via the telephone line in the states.
William Hill already has measures in place to prevent American gamblers logging onto its website and placing bets on sports events.
But the firm said it was also pulling out of casino and poker until there was a better understanding over how the law will affect its business.
William Hill said in a statement it would not accept casino or poker business from customers with a US address or US-issued credit card.
Chief executive David Harding said: “The advice we have had is that online gambling is not illegal under the Wire Act, but there are clearly attempts within the US to make it illegal.
“Given the debate in the Senate about changes to internet gambling, we just decided this was the most prudent course of action.
“We are small in the US and have never marketed ourselves in the states. It is just an outlet for US customers if they come across us on the internet.”
Mr Harding explained the American market accounted for 1% of the company’s web revenues and just 0.1% of the firm’s total turnover.
He said: “There are a couple of high-profile court cases and continuing attempts to ban – as well as legalise – types of internet gambling in Senate and Congress.
“Until there is absolute clarity on the scope of the wire act the board thought this the best course of action.”
The online gambling industry has been rocked recently by the arrest of two high-profile executives who are both due to face trial in the US.
In July, the now former BetOnSports chief executive David Carruthers was arrested at Dallas airport and later charged with offences under the wire act.
The indictment referred to “illegal wagering on professional and college football and basketball” which BetonSports offered until recently on its website.
And last month Sportingbet independent non-executive chairman Peter Dicks was also arrested, this time at JFK Airport in New York under laws covering “gambling by computer”.
Mr Dicks resigned following his arrest, but has since been allowed to return to the UK to await his trial.