Where does this suggestion that they may close to all but US players come from? Are you just throwing outside possibilities around?
No, I think that's what's being suggested in most of the States that are looking at it - not just that you won't be able to play non-Americans, but that you wouldn't be able to play across State lines
I think it comes from the (very succesful) Italian legislative model, where operators who want an Italian licence have to restrict both the types of games offered and the player pool. So lower stakes games where only Italian players can play against Italian players. France is likely to adopt a similar approach.
The US is a huge market, and has the potential to be even bigger. There is no need, in a liquidity sense, to offer your product internationally. It would also be a bonus to say it's just for US citizens as it would make it easier to block/ban/restrict offshore sites in the name of consumer protection.
As for those who think firms would focus on the RoW rather than the US. The US is by FAR the biggest online poker market. And it is much much easier to market your brand to the US than the various different markets in Europe with different languages and cultures that all put together are only as big as the US is on its own.
dont piss on the bonfire!!!!!!!
Haha! I'm just saying be careful what you wish for!!