Microgaming Websites to Lock Out U.S. Citizens as of November 10th
by Hillary LaClair, Senior Editor
Microgaming’s actions following the Kentucky domain seizure case as worsened, as an announcement has been made that the online casino software provider will deny new registrations from all of the United States, not just those in Kentucky.
According to Brightshare in the GPWA forums today, Microgaming would cease to accept all U.S. customers as of Monday, November 10th. Because of this Jackpot Factory, marketed by Brightshare and powered by Microgaming, will no long accept U.S. players either. Referback made a similar announcement, saying that all six of its internet casinos – 49 Jackpot City, Cool Hand Poker, Jackpot City Online, Lucky Nugget Online Casino, River Belle Online Casino and The Gaming Club Casino, all powered by Microgaming – would reject all new U.S. registrations.
Vegas Affiliates, another Microgaming network, announced on Wednesday that it casinos, including Grand Hotel Casino, Colosseum Casino, Vegas Joker Casino, Vegas Country Casino, Vegas Slot Casino and Vegas 7 Casino will additionally ban U.S. residents as of November 10th.
Fortune Affiliate and Fortune Lounge have followed the example, shutting its doors to the U.S. According to a press release however, existing U.S. users have been told that they may continue to use their accounts. Other Microgaming software users have not made statements on the issue, and it is uncertain whether these domains will also leave the American market.
There are other Microgaming websites (Star Partner Network, Eurolynx.com and Intertops.com) that have enforced a 14 state ban throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Utah, forcing players out of the internet casinos. Online sports and racebooks will still be available for U.S. customers.
The home page on the Microgaming website still remains unavailable to users, displaying a “Site Not Available” message. These recent developments do not bode well for the continuation of U.S. internet gambling. It is feared that the Kentucky ruling has opened the door to further unjust censorship by a State government that holds no jurisdiction in the overseas market to begin with.
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