WPN Exits Regulated States Of New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada

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Friday, May 16th, 2014 | Written by Charles Washington

The Winning Poker Network (WPN) has announced it has now withdrawn its services from those US states offering legalized online gambling, although it will still continue to provide its products elsewhere across America. Commenting on its decision, the US-friendly network, explained:

“Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey have stepped up to allow their respective residents to play on licensed, local state poker sites. Accordingly, the Winning Poker Network has determined to decline offering services to residents seeking to play from those three states which have expressly legalized online poker, effective immediately.”

WPN third largest US-friendly online poker network

The Winning Poker Network is the third biggest internet poker network still serving US poker players, with its list of skins including such popular sites as America’s Cardroom, True Poker, and Black Chip Poker. WPN’s move comes several months after the USA’s second biggest unregulated poker provider, the Merge Network, exited Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey in January 2014. There are no indications, however, that the biggest US-friendly site Bodog/Bovada is thinking of changing its stance anytime soon, and the online gambling site is continuing to accept players from the country’s three regulated states.

Surprise move to exit regulated US market

WPN’s announcement to quit Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey came as an unexpected move to many industry experts, as the network has long prided itself on being a top online poker destination for US players, regardless of legality aspects within the country’s separate markets.

The WPN originally launched as Americas Cardroom in 2001, and after the UIGEA passed in 2006 it chose to continue operating in the US and subsequently merged with True Poker to become the Yahatay Poker Network. After experiencing substantial growth since 2011 when PokerStars, Full Tilt, and UltimateBet were forced from the US market, Yahatay Poker Network changed its name to The Winning Poker Network in January 2012 and has continued growing ever since.

This year, for instance, WPN CEO Phil Payton said that he envisioned further growth for the company in the US online poker market, explaining to pokerfuse at the time:

“We’ve gotten ourselves where we have enough good things in place that we can aggressively pursue some real growth in 2014. WPN is currently up to 900 real-money cash game peaks and $100k GTD multi-table tournaments. My goal is to try and at least double those numbers this year.”

Throughout its history, the offshore site has won praise for its excellent customer service record, reliable payment processing options and quick cash-outs.

WPN wants to avoid future legal troubles

There have been various reasons to explain WPN’s withdrawal from the USA’s regulated poker market, one of which suggests WPN has conceded the difficulties it faces trying to remain profitable competing against well-organized, licensed gaming sites operating within regulated igaming markets. Furthermore, the Winning Poker Network may be keen to avoid a future potential legal backlash it may face further down the road, and so has decided to cease offering online poker for real money.

WPN did, however, assure its other US customers that it will continue being a popular destination for US players residing in the other 47 unregulated states, with Americas Cardroom spokesperson Michael Harris, stating:

“We’re growing extremely rapidly outside of the three regulated markets, so players can expect to see lots of action at the tables and guarantees that surpass what’s promised.”

Announcement just a ploy?

Despite its explicit assurance, some analysts have questioned the accuracy of WPN’s announcement, and especially its commitment to enforce its decision, after reports have been received of players still accessing WPN skins from regulated states. Jen Newell, for instance, posted on his Twitter account that he experienced no difficulties accessing real money play at WPN skins, while PocketFives member Steve Brogan claims Black Chip Poker suggested changing his account details to show that he was a resident of California, and not his actual home state of Nevada. Furthermore, Brogan was apparently informed the decision would only relate to new players and that existing players would be allowed to carrying on gambling as usual. As Steve Brogan’s PocketFives post, states:

“I just received a call from Customer Support at BlackChipPoker (BCP) giving me the update. The company sent out the email because they felt that they had to. But I was told not to worry. This would affect only new players from Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware. I was told that I could continue to play, to deposit and to withdraw. They said that they were going to change the state that I reside in for California for me so that my account will still be active and that I should no longer be concerned.