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Mobile poker operator Switch Poker became the first to offer Bitcoin as a payment solution for players. Switch Poker does not currently accept US customers. The online poker room also promotes itself as being the first room compatible on just about every browser for iPhone, iPads, iPods and more.
Bitcoin is a distributed currency that operates without any central point (such as a bank) and without any governmental control. It is very much like gold is in the offline world. Bitcoins can be exchanged from one person to another directly, anonymously and without fees.
It has proved controversial due to its decentralized nature and the inability of governments to track its use. It has already attracted the negative attention of the Chinese government, the CIA, the US government and many lobby groups around the world.
Conor McCarthy, spokesman for Switchpoker.com, said, "The advantage of the Bitcoin currency is that it has the ability to remove all payment processing related barriers of entry for poker and gambling sites around the world. It would allow any person to play for real money completely anonymously.
"Players will be able to now send us funds directly without a 3rd party being privy to the transactions, and we will be able to send funds directly back to the user. It also means that people without a Skrill or Neteller account will be able to play. Players can get Bitcoins on sites such as Bitcoin247.com"
Just this week, another online gambling website that focuses on Bitcoin and other virtual currencies, DigiBookie.com, announced it has begun offering overnight and weekend binary options. DigiBookie.com offers a sports betting and financial platform.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
