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While the two largest online poker rooms, PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, respectively, have been hit hard in recent days by the fallout from an eCheck payment processor getting pinched, the same fate has not happened to Doylesroom.com, at least not yet.
The reason perhaps: DoylesRoom eCheck deposits stopped back on May 1. We're not sure if they reinstituted the method between then and now but thus far Gambling911 has yet to read a complaint related to DoylesRoom and eChecks.
AbsolutePoker.com's eChecks system appears to not be affected by this latest crisis, according to PokereCheck.com although Gambling911.com advises caution before trying to cash a paper check issued by the company. There were initial conflicting reports suggesting that Absolute Poker had been impacted by this recent crackdown, though there is not a whole lot of evidence to support this notion (i.e. players complaining about bounced checks).
Gambling911.com had received hundreds of complaints and inquiries related to this eCheck matter exclusive only to Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars.
PokerStars in particular has been emailing customers, letting them know that their eChecks processor has had "funds froze" and that paper checks from this particular processor will not be accepted by their banks. PokerStars is trying to be as upfront about this situation with their customers as one would expect from this pretty well regarded organization - Full Tilt Poker (as we here at Gambling911.com would expect), not so much in terms of keeping customers informed. PokerStars customers have noted that there are other options readily available in which to deposit and withdraw money.
And finally, it doesn't appear as if Bodog was utilizing this payment method. The reason being, the processor in question apparently dealt with "poker only" websites and steered clear of those that immersed themselves in the sports betting world such as Bodog. At least this is what we are being told and, again, we're not reading about eCheck problems with Bodog. If you recently received a check from Bodog - don't cash it until you contact them first.
Please note that eChecks is a generic term used to describe electronic checks, however, there is a processing firm well regarded called eCheck that deals only in online casino transactions and this company is still very much in business and experiencing zero problems with deposits and withdrawals.
The United States Attorney out of New York State has forced the shutdown of this eCheck processor being utilized by PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker and reportedly seized monies as a result.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
