Poker Players Begin to Receive Reimbursements from Full Tilt Poker

FullTilt Poker recently announced in a statement given to ABC News that players who were subject to the seizure of player funds using their Instant eCheck option now have funds back in their accounts. The federal government froze over $30 million in accounts of payment processors that take care of the money earned by thousands of online players including those at Full Tilt as well as PokerStars last week. But now Full Tilt is saying the money has been returned.

The statement read: “In light of recent events involving the freezing of certain accounts, Full Tilt Poker would like to assure all players that their funds remain safe and secure. All players who were affected by the current situation have had their funds returned to their accounts,” stated Michele Clayborn, Full Tilt Spokesperson. 

ABC also spoke with an online player that goes by the name David who said he had qualified for the WSOP by earning $10,000 from PokerStars. When he went to cash his check it would not cash. He had to use his own savings to buy-in to the World Series event and once he gets his earnings he will use that to fill in the gap in his savings.  David was reimbursed and he earned an extra 10% credit into his account. 

This is just one of many online players’ stories. Another player, Sam Friedman, plays at Full Tilt and he recently found that the option he uses is no longer available. Sam deposits money directly into his Citibank account and now this option is no longer available. He commented: “there are lots of ways to deposit and withdraw money and payment options are always disappearing, but something didn’t seem right. I can’t believe the government is reaching into people’s bank accounts like this. For a lot of serious players this is their lifeblood. This is how they make ends meet.”

Although Full Tilt Poker says the earnings have been reimbursed to the players no confirmation has been made by players affected. It will be interesting to see how long it is before someone comes forward to confirm that they have or have not received their funds.