Merge Poker Network Bars New Players

Posted 6/3/11 :

Despite traffic soaring, Merge is to ‘temporarily' halt new player signups from June 3
 
The US-facing Merge Poker Network, which has so far continued to accept US action despite the depredations of US enforcement authorities, has reportedly halted new US player signups with effect from today (June 3).
 
Although no official confirmation has been released by the company, the ban on new signups is widely known and follows a decision by the company on June 1st to stop rake back payments. The duration of the block on new signups has not been advised.
 
Popular Merge Network skins include Lock Poker, Carbon Poker, RPM Poker, Hero Poker, Felt Stars, GR88 Poker, Overbet Poker, Poker Nordica, PDC Poker, and Iron Duke, among others.
 
Most reports cite soaring traffic from the US as the cause of the temporary ban, which is creating support and processor administrative difficulties that the company needs a breathing space to resolve.  Existing players are unaffected by the new policy and will continue to be serviced as usual.
 
Earlier this month  Merge halted signups from US states known to have strict measures against online gambling, such as New York, Washington, Maryland, Missouri and Louisiana.
 
Newbie US online poker fans are left with a diminishing choice of networks that will accept their action, with Yatahay, Cake, Bodog.eu and Everleaf still available.

See a list of sites still taking new US online poker players