Update February 21, 2015: SealsWithClubs chairman Bryan Micon released a YouTube video explaining the actions behind the closure of the Bitcoin-only poker room. He states in the video that Nevada Gaming Commission agents served a search warrant at 8am on February 11, 2015 at his home in the Las Vegas metro area.
Micon describes a situation where 10 agents armed with guns used a sledgehammer to break his door down. He was led outside in handcuffs without being given the opportunity to get dressed. Agents seized numerous electronic devices thought to be related to the SealsWithClubs business, according to Micon’s video.
Micon was not arrested. There were no criminal charges related to the search warrant that was served at his residence. He decided to move his family to Antigua based on these events, according to the video.
At the same time, there was an error with a SealWithClubs server in Romania. These circumstances led to the dissolving of the SealsWithClubs Bitcoin poker site, based on a vote by the board of directors.
Micon plans on opening SWCPoker.eu in the near future. The new site will use software originally intended to become version 2.0 for SealswithClubs. A video is already up on that website.
We have included the YouTube video produced by Micon from Antigua at the bottom of this article.
Original Story
The largest Bitcoin-only online poker room has closed its doors. SealsWithClubs notified players on Friday that it could no longer operate its current software platform, which was powered by a modified version of Poker Mavens.
The SealsWithClubs client and server ran into multiple security issues during its course of operations. The latest started last week when the site went down unexpectedly. The games were pulled offline by SealWithClubs management after an undisclosed security breach was discovered.
While players have been unable to login to the SealsWithClub client for over a week, Bitcoin withdrawals have been available to all players. There have been no delays in player payments. Cashouts are reportedly processed in less than eight hours. Some players have stated receiving withdrawals in as little as two hours.
SealsWithClubs asks that all players withdraw immediately without delay. A form has been placed on its website with instructions on how to initiate a withdrawal.
SealsWithClubs, or a similar poker site under a different name, is in the works for some of the former members of the company. A 2.0 version of the software is being developed. The new company will be headed by Bryan Micon, chairman of the former SealsWithClubs online poker room. The new site will be based in Antigua with a new platform. Like SealsWithClubs, it will operate as a Bitcoin-only site.
The new site will honor Krill earned under the SealsWithClubs system. This was essentially the site’s internal rakeback program.
SealWithClubs found a niche through the rising popularity of Bitcoin. Americans discovered that it was an easy way to deposit and withdraw from an offshore poker site, even with the currency fluctuations. Players outside the U.S. liked the fact that it was completely anonymous.
Other U.S.-facing poker sites have rolled out Bitcoin transactions since the SealsWithClubs launch. The include the Winning Poker Network and Full Flush Poker.
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.