A survey of online poker players, following the seizure of gambling funds by the U.S. government has found more than half are not aware their money could be at risk.
The research by the U.K. based online gambling community Betfair, found more than three quarters of poker players have searched for what they consider to be safer sites.
Nearly a third (31%) of UK online gamblers were aware of fund seizures by the U.S. compared to 42 percent in the U.S. Among these 59 percent of U.K. players were concerned about the safety of their funds. The results also indicated confusion over which sites accepted American bets.
Richard Bloch
“It is very difficult for operators which do not take bets out of the US to compete with those that do, because of the increased liquidity which comes from accepting the American bets,” said Richard Block, head of PR, Betfair.
“This research demonstrates that there are other factors which consumers are taking into account when it comes to choosing their preferred place to play poker online. It’s no use having funds in your account if a government is going to seize them – and consumers are obviously aware of that.”
Summary of key findings:
UK: 69 % were not aware of the funds seizures in the US
US: 58% were not aware of the funds seizures in the US
UK: Of those that were aware 59% were concerned about the safety of their funds
US: Of those that were aware 88% were concerned about the safety of their funds
UK: 45% of those that were aware of the issues have moved sites as a result
US: 76% of those that were aware of the issues have moved sites as a result
