It is claimed that the defendants set up fake companies in an effort to trick US banks into accepting gambling payments.
Among those charged are the founders of PokerStars and various parties engaged in payment processing for PokerStars. It is alleged that PokerStars and various associated payment processors attempted to circumvent Federal anti-gambling law by tricking US banks into accepting gaming funds illegally.Ī press release out of the Manhattan US Attorney’s office lists 11 defendants as charged with criminal fraud, money laundering, and operating an illegal gaming site. The FBI has seized the domain name and indicted the owners of PokerStars for bank fraud and money laundering. There are still a number of US friendly poker sites operating without problems. PokerStars is one of four sites effected by the shut down. As of April 15, 2011, USA players are not allowed in real money games at the site and the website has been completely shut down. PokerStars has completely shut its doors to US players.
