Online poker players in Washington State have more to fear now than ever. Aside from playing poker online being a class C felony players may now be unable to receive their winnings.  A payment processor by the name of Secure Money has found them selves the target of a vigorous US Federal investigation into their activities with online poker rooms.  The investigation came to fruition when an undercover federal agent requested a payment via Ultimate Bet through Secure Money and received a $200.00 check.  While this is not the first time a payment company has been targeted by authorities it is a still a problem for the industry as a whole.

What makes this situation especially interesting is that Secure Money is a company based out of Canada, which makes this an international sting operation.  Funds seized by the Feds totaled $553,000.00 and more is sure to come.  One of the number one fears expressed by players in the United States is an inability to withdraw their winnings and stings such as this justify those fears.  While funds were seized no criminal charges have been filed against any of the employees or owners of Secure money to date.

Due to a recent Washington State Supreme Court ruling affirming that playing poker  online is a felony in Washington state, Pokerstars has stopped taking any “real money” bets from players in the state.  Given that Washington State has scared away many of the online poker rooms and payment processing companies, the field has been thinned considerably for new competition.  It is very curious that while funds were seized from Secure Money no criminal charges were filed.  This would seem to be an invitation for other companies to take up the mantle left behind by Secure Money without fear of criminal prosecution.

It is no secret that Las Vegas and the gambling industry in general are not doing so well.  Gambling lobbyists who represent real world casinos are on the offensive to take down online gambling because it cuts into their profit margin.  Posturing such as this is not likely to end anytime soon, but at least the heat is being put onto the businesses and not the players.  There has not been a criminal case brought against a poker player (outside of Washington State) that has resulted in felony charges so far.  For the rest of the United States it is a matter of small fines and as long as there is money to be made businesses will continue to take risks to give customers what they want.