Full Tilt Poker Responds to FBI Indictment

Though most of the poker sites that have been effected by the latest FBI indictment have remained quiet, Full Tilt Poker has released this press release in regards to their CEO being one of the 11 charged:

Full Tilt Poker is saddened by today’s charges against its CEO Raymond Bitar and offers its full support to Mr. Bitar and Nelson Burtnick.

Online poker is a game of skill enjoyed by tens of millions of people in the United States and across the world. And, Full Tilt Poker remains as committed as ever to preserving the rights of those players to play the game they love online.

Mr. Bitar and Full Tilt Poker believe online poker is legal – a position also taken by some of the best legal minds in the United States. Full Tilt Poker is, and has always been committed to preserving the integrity of the game and abiding by the law.
“I am surprised and disappointed by the government’s decision to bring these charges. I look forward to Mr. Burtnick’s and my exoneration”, said Mr. Bitar.

Unfortunately, as a result of this action, Full Tilt Poker has decided that it must suspend “real money” play in the United States until this case is resolved. However, Full Tilt Poker will continue to provide peer-to-peer online poker services outside of the United States.

Some fall out as a result of this indictment is that PokerStars and Full Tilt have blocked US players from real money games. Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker seemed to follow suit but some US players claim they can still aces these Cereus backed poker rooms. Victory Poker, even though not named in the indictment, has also requested US players be blocked.

Democratic Representative Barney Frank also spoke about the indictment for the first time this week saying the US Department of Justice has its priorities all wrong and should be focusing on the execs behind the 2008 global economic crisis saying, “Go after the people responsible for empty houses, not full houses … I’m not saying violate the law, but to give this priority in law enforcement … is a terrible idea and I think the administration is wrong on this.”