Merge Poker Blocking Four States Plus District of Columbia

Submitted by C Costigan on

Written by :

C Costigan

Published on :

Merge Poker, which runs the popular Lock Poker website, has stopped accepting new cash customers from the following US states effective immediately: 

New York

Maryland

Louisiana

District of Columbia

Missouri

In recent years, these states have aggressively launched attacks against the online gambling sector.

There are conflicting reports that Washington State may also be included on the list.  It is the only state that makes it a Class C felony for individuals to gamble online.  Whenever possible, Gambling911.com discourages its Washington State readers from accessing such websites. 

Merge also announced that its BlackChip Poker brand will not longer allow cash players from France.

Furthermore the company announced that its generous 35 percent rakeback will no longer be available effective June 1 (Gambling911.com readers can still take advantage until that time at Lock Poker here)

Merge’s decision comes one day after a Maryland probe resulted in the seizure of several domain names belonging to the companies Bookmaker.com and BetED.com.

Bookmaker experienced little interruption as a result of the seized domains as it had backup .ag domains ready to go.  BetED.com remains shut down for the time being. 

- Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher

Related Content

Polymarket

Wanna Bet? Washington Steps Up Scrutiny of Prediction Markets

As the United States was preparing a daring mission to rescue an airman whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran, there was money to be made.
Legal

Ninth Circuit of Appeals Judges Skeptical Over Prediction Markets Claim They Can Bypass State Laws

U.S. Circuit Judge Ryan Nelson bluntly rejected Crypto.com attorney Shay Dvoretzky’s argument that exchange-traded contracts differ in substance from sportsbook wagers.
Guitar Hotel Hollywood Florida

May 2026 Casino Promotions and Events at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

Gambling911.com has received the May 2026 promos and entertainment schedule for the fabulous Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, our own backyard.
Dave & Busters

Suit Against Dave & Busters in South Carolina Court Claims Arcade Games Are Unlawful Gambling

A state advocacy group filed a suit in the District Court of South Carolina Florence Division late Wednesday April 15 arguing the chain’s games function as unlawful gambling rather than entertainment.