A group of webbies decided that it was a good idea to pay PRLeap to distribute this press release. Their
web site goes even further and tells you to find a Canadian with a similar name as yours and pretty much take on their identity so you can play online poker. Here's the presser...
Americans who want to play online poker are doing so through a loop hole that employs Canadian based servers. The exploit masks American based ip addresses with Canadian ones as to evade the self imposed US ban by the various online poker sites.
"This ban only affects American citizens and not Canadians", says Ryan, a member of pokerbandits.ca. "Many online poker rooms now do not allow members from the States, however if you appear to be Canadian then you are free to register and play."
Under this loop hole US players find Canadian residential addresses that contain a common last name and then utilize findnot.com ip redirecting service. "It’s pretty easy once you have installed the program and most sites do not even verify your address or telephone number when you register", says Ryan. The program masks American based ip with Canadian ones so that to the online poker site it appears that a user from Canada is trying access their site.
Under the US ban gamblers are not allowed to use credit cards and online gambling houses are prohibited from accepting credit cards, checks or electronic fund transfers to handle wager transactions. However many players get past this by using third party payment processors. As Ryan points out, "The ban makes it illegal for poker sites to accept direct money transfer from and to your US bank account. However, you can get past this by using Click2pay or Epassporte".
Poker fans in the US are already talking about a new era of prohibition similar to the 1930s. When asked about the effectiveness of the ban Ryan tells, "this law will not stop Americans from gambling. If someone wants to play in an online poker game they will find a way. This law has just pushed the online poker community underground."
