Deputy Editor
Customers in two more states will no longer have access to online poker on ClubWPT Gold. The operator posted separate announcements on its website detailing exits from Louisiana and Connecticut.
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Key Info For ClubWPT Players In Louisiana, Connecticut
In Louisiana’s case, players who still have Sweeps Coins (SC) on the site have already missed their deadline to redeem them for cash. Each $1 of SC can be redeemed for $1 of real money, but ClubWPT Gold’s posted announcement says Sept. 14 was the last day Louisiana players could cash them in.
As of today (Sept. 16), players can no longer access the site from inside Louisiana borders.
Players in Connecticut have a bit more time. SC play remains open until Sept. 23. Players can redeem SC through Sept. 26. Accounts will close for good Sept. 30.
The Louisiana ban comes on the heels of the state suing VGW Holdings, owners of Global Poker. Global is a major competitor of ClubWPT Gold in the poker sweepstakes market. Louisiana is seeking tax liability in excess of $30 million.
Global Poker has added Louisiana to its list of banned states.
Connecticut was among the first states to give sweepstakes operators the boot. Gov. Ned Lamond signed a bill banning them into law this June.
New Jersey Players Must Leave State to Cash Out
ClubWPT Gold also informed players from New Jersey, which recently banned sweepstakes poker, that they can redeem their account balances. However, while ClubWPT Gold has received the go-ahead to process withdrawals, the players wishing to cash out must leave the state and access the site from a legal market.
You may complete your redemption by accessing your account from a permitted state, such as Pennsylvania or New York. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
In mid-August, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law banning sweepstakes gambling, including poker.
The announced policy will induce headaches for many players. At least New Jersey’s small geographical size and short travel distance to many states will minimize the pain.
ClubWPT Gold on Precipice of Gold Coin Deadline
The exits comes at a time of transition for ClubWPT Gold, although what sort of transition is happening hasn’t become clear yet. In the wake of various states’ legislation targeting the sweepstakes business model, ClubWPT Gold announced they would discontinue their Gold Coin (GC) account funding system.
States such as California and New Jersey have specifically outlined a ban of the “dual-currency” business model. The pending California sweepstakes ban looms as the most damaging to the business, given the state’s massive population.
If ClubWPT Gold has found a new legal work-around, they’re running out of time to inform players of the new system. The initial announcement of the end of GC stated they would disappear Sept. 17. ClubWPT Gold promised a “game-changing new feature” would be introduced.
Without GC, players have effectively no way of depositing onto the site. With less than 24 hours to go, players remain in the dark as to the future of ClubWPT Gold in this time of legal turmoil.
