Anyone has any "connections" with Pacific Poker?

[Yuv]

I know i'm a newbie and I've never posted in this forum before, but I need some urgent serious help.

I've been playing for about a year now in PacificPoker.com. I got 10$ free on their site which I turned to about a nice bankroll. 4 Hours ago, while playing in a SnG, my connection frooze. When I tried to log back, it said my username does not exist.

I emailed support, and got a reply from the "Operations Department", which is the following :

Dear Yuval,

This is Beki G. from the Operations Department at Cassava Enterprises
(Gibraltar) Ltd. I am contacting you in regards to your Pacific Poker
account with the username "Yuval".

Yuval, please be advised that we are unable to offer our services to you
as you are logging in from Israel.

Unfortunately we can not accept members from this country for legal
reasons.

Your Poker account has been disabled in accordance with this policy.

I apologise for any inconvenience caused and I thank you for your
interest in Pacific Poker.

Kind regards,
Beki G.
Operations Department
Cassava Enterprises (Gibraltar) Ltd.
operations@cassava.net
Fax: +350-59975

-

They did not email me back since then. I talked to Pacific's Support department, who told me, as I expected, I have to deal with this other department.

I know the amounts doesn't mean alot to some of you, but it's about 4500$, which I personally need.

I can't understand how 12 months of me playing nearly every day can be wiped out in one second. I can't even express how I feel right now, it's just too painful.

Is there anyone here who can advice me what to do. Anyone who can help? I might come off badly from this post, but I just don't care at this point. I'm actually begging for help from someone with experiance in dealing with poker sites and frozen accounts.

Thanks in advance,

Yuval.

[eric5148]

What are the laws on internet gambling in Isreal?

[Yuv]

[ QUOTE ]
What are the laws on internet gambling in Isreal?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have no idea, but I've never had any problem with other sites.

It's not the issue for me. I don't care about not being able to play there. I'm just terrified about the fate of the money in that account. It's more than the actual money, it's the feeling I wasted a year of my life playing for nothing.

Can they possibly -take- my money? I mean, let me cash it out and I will never ever show my face at that site, I promise.

God, this sucks. I'm clicking refresh on my mailbox like that's gonna help.

[Mr_J]

It's probally in the T&Cs that they don't allow players from israel. But then again they shouldn't have let you continue playing fo 12 months...

[eric5148]

[ QUOTE ]
Can they possibly -take- my money? I mean, let me cash it out and I will never ever show my face at that site, I promise.

[/ QUOTE ]

The reason I asked is because the terms and conditions state that they have the right to refuse business from players who live in areas where gambling is illegal. It sounds like that's why they froze your account.

I don't think they have a right to confiscate your money, however (morally not legally).

[Yuv]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Can they possibly -take- my money? I mean, let me cash it out and I will never ever show my face at that site, I promise.

[/ QUOTE ]

The reason I asked is because the terms and conditions state that they have the right to refuse business from players who live in areas where gambling is illegal. It sounds like that's why they froze your account.

I don't think they have a right to confiscate your money, however (morally not legally).

[/ QUOTE ]

It's pretty sad, but that's exactly what I'm hoping for right now. That they won't confiscate my money, cause it's just immoral. They certainly don't need it, I do, I have done nothing wrong intentially (I mean, they don't accuse me of cheating or anything).

I understand not allowing me to play, but just let me cash out!

That's why i'm posting here, for the slight chance that someone actually know someone who knows someone who can just click on a buttom and let me cashout.

[eric5148]

[ QUOTE ]
That's why i'm posting here, for the slight chance that someone actually know someone who knows someone who can just click on a buttom and let me cashout.

[/ QUOTE ]

The only thing I can say is that you should go to Casinomeister.com and post a complaint in the forum there. I don't know if they would be willing to help, because it looks like you did technically violate the T&Cs.

In the future, you should contact any online pokerroom/casino before you deposit or play and ask if they allow players from Isreal.

[jman220]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Can they possibly -take- my money? I mean, let me cash it out and I will never ever show my face at that site, I promise.

[/ QUOTE ]

The reason I asked is because the terms and conditions state that they have the right to refuse business from players who live in areas where gambling is illegal. It sounds like that's why they froze your account.

I don't think they have a right to confiscate your money, however (morally not legally).

[/ QUOTE ]

It's pretty sad, but that's exactly what I'm hoping for right now. That they won't confiscate my money, cause it's just immoral. They certainly don't need it, I do, I have done nothing wrong intentially (I mean, they don't accuse me of cheating or anything).

I understand not allowing me to play, but just let me cash out!

That's why i'm posting here, for the slight chance that someone actually know someone who knows someone who can just click on a buttom and let me cashout.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just stay on top of them, and keep bothering them, tell them you don't care if your'e not allowed to play, just cash out your funds to you with whatever method they choose. I think they'll let you cash out eventually.

[Bill Bixby]

I actually feel kinda sorry for this guy. This really sucks man, I hope you get your money. I would be really upset if they didnt give you YOUR money. Good luck man and please keep us posted, and NEVER play on there site again!

[Synergistic Explosions]

Why did you not make withdrawals during your year of playing there? When were you planning on making your first?

[IndieMatty]

[ QUOTE ]
I actually feel kinda sorry for this guy. This really sucks man, I hope you get your money. I would be really upset if they didnt give you YOUR money. Good luck man and please keep us posted, and NEVER play on there site again!

[/ QUOTE ]

[Yuv]

[ QUOTE ]
Why did you not make withdrawals during your year of playing there? When were you planning on making your first?

[/ QUOTE ]

A) because I'm an Idiot
B) I was planning on cashing out when I hit my high mark of 8200$. I did not. See point A.

C) I was on a gigantinc losing streak this month, losing half my bankroll. Irony at it's finest. If they would have blocked my accont in June, I would have had twice as much money.

I have a Neteller acount, so it should be a problem. They just need to say the word and I'm cashing me and my few lousy K's out with me. I fear now that the "Opperations Department" is out for the weekend. I can't understand why they won't talk to me over the phone. The very nice guy from Gibraltar, from the Customer Support told me over the phone that the department I need "do not answer phones". It would have been funny, if it wasn't so sad. Hell, I'm sure it's funny to anyone who's not me.

I will have to consume inhuman amounts of Alcohol to get through the weekend, if they won't contact me soon.

(p.s. - I'm sorry for all the spelling and other errors. I'm in somewhat of a fragile state of mind and my english probably suffers from that...)

[slickpoppa]

[ QUOTE ]
I will have to consume inhuman amounts of Alcohol to get through the weekend, if they won't contact me soon.

[/ QUOTE ]

If this is true you probably shouldn't be playing poker anyway.

[Yuv]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I will have to consume inhuman amounts of Alcohol to get through the weekend, if they won't contact me soon.

[/ QUOTE ]

If this is true you probably shouldn't be playing poker anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I never had to deal with a situation that might cause 12 months of my life to go down the drain. It's not only the money, just the fact that I have nothing to show (show myself, even) for a year's "work".

It might not be the best method, but a combination of alcohol, THC and denial will be my defense mechanism for the crisis.

[Greg J]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I will have to consume inhuman amounts of Alcohol to get through the weekend, if they won't contact me soon.

[/ QUOTE ]

If this is true you probably shouldn't be playing poker anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't know man. I mean it's not like he lost his whole roll playing -- if he were saying this in regards to that I might be prone to agree. But this guy built his roll up from literally NOTHING (a free $10), so I can understand that this means more than the objective monetary value. He put a lot of work -- this roll was what he WON. It was his accomplishment. This was hard work. It had high emotional value for him.

On a side note: 99/100 when a player makes a post like this, he did something to disserve it. I think this might be that one other time.

To the OP: I hope you get it back man. Just keep emailing them about cashing out. Good luck to you.

If you don't get it back, remember, you built a roll up once, you can do it again. Allow yrself some time to recover emotionally, but don't ball up too much. You might have gotten bucked pretty hard, but don't be afraid to get back on the horse.

Also, there are plenty of bankroll building resources. Don't be afraid to ask around. You would be surprised how fast you can make a few thousand dollars.

[Synergistic Explosions]

Them saying they are disabling your account doesn't imply they are confiscating your funds.

By allowing you to create an account with your correct name and address stating clearly you are from Israel, then allowing you to play for a year with no problems leads me to believe they at that time allowed players from Israel.

If they instituted policy changes recently that prohibits people from Israel, then they should cash out your balance to you in short order.

So my guess is you will get your money with no problem if the above is true.

If they say in hindsight that when you created your account last year you were in violation of then present day terms, you can argue that by them allowing you access to the site with your correct information and address that you could only assume you were not in violation. A sight not allowing signups from certain contries have the capability of flagging immediately those that type in the offending country upon signup. By not doing so immediately, you as a player can only assume no rules have been broken.

If these rules were being enforced because of countries laws prohibiting online poker, then why do most sites allow U.S. players to sign up and play?

Do the terms implicitly state that no players from Israel will be accepted on Pacific Poker? If so, was this stated clearly when you signed up?

It's time for you to prepare your case and be ready to present it clearly to them when the time comes to do so.

If you feel you are still being shafted, then seek help with those that can help you resolve this issue. Casinomeister would be a good place to ask for help. If he can't he will refer you to the other watchdog group that handles such matters.

Good luck.

[Yuv]

Since I do want to be as honest as possible, seeing some of the replys, I feel obligated to correct some points (and I do want to thank the posters who did, it made me feel a bit better).

-I am probably at legal fault here. I did not put in my mailing adress that I am from Israel. I used an abroad address, cause I thought it will be easier to cashout that way (I did NOT know they don't allow Israeli players, though).

That in mind, all other sites allow Israeli players to play. So i'm not really violating any widely known rule. Therefore, I had no idea location even matters.

BUT, I have been playing on that site for a year, and my IP has always been the same. Meaning, I did not change anything in the past few days, I didn't not make things worst or better. Nothing has changed since the first day I was playing. So, just on the moral side, they should allow me to get my money back, even if I did broke a rule while signing in.

It was not anything I did in order to "cheat" or break the law. It was an honest mistake and a very reasonable one. I understand if they block my account, but the money I won (and lost, by the way. Money that is sitting in other people accounts right now) shouldn't be taken.

I hope this doesn't make you think I'm not the "1 case out of a 100". I am. I never intended to break any rules. This past 12 months were one hell of a ride, emotionally, even phyisaclly at times. I never thought of it as a "ride", I didn't think it will end at any point. The money is importent to me for it's value, as I am a student who, as all student, always need extra money. But even more than that, I have put some much of myself, time and emotion, into poker this past year, that the dear thought of it vanishing at the stroke a button, AND NOT BY ME pushing it, puts me into tears.

Thank you for your support. I have a terrible feeling that the few hours since this happen will just be the start of a long saga for me.

[Greg J]

1) Keep trying to get yr money back.

2) Know that even if you don't it's not the end of the world (thought it might feel like it). $500 alone can see you back on track towards building a roll back up. There is great bankroll building advise abound on this site.

Again, good luck to you. You made a couple of mistakes apparently, but just learn from them -- regardless of the outcome.

[Synergistic Explosions]

Ahhhhhh! You can't give false info when registering! Now you have no grounds to stand on. Especially when you give false info to gain free money from a site. They don't like that at all.

[eric5148]

[ QUOTE ]
That in mind, all other sites allow Israeli players to play.

[/ QUOTE ]

Most sites state in their T&Cs that they don't allow anyone from an area where internet gambling is illegal. This is why I strongly encourage you to contact a lawyer to find out what the laws are for internet gambling in Isreal.

[ QUOTE ]
The money is importent to me for it's value, as I am a student who, as all student, always need extra money.

[/ QUOTE ]

It sounds like you really need this money, which is not what a poker bankroll should be. Never ever play poker with money that you need. A poker bankroll is money that you are COMPLETELY emotionally detached from.

[Yuv]

[ QUOTE ]
The money is importent to me for it's value, as I am a student who, as all student, always need extra money.

[/ QUOTE ]

It sounds like you really need this money, which is not what a poker bankroll should be. Never ever play poker with money that you need. A poker bankroll is money that you are COMPLETELY emotionally detached from.

[/ QUOTE ]

It was not, by any means, a proper bankroll. It is, nonetheless, a bankroll. I made some mistakes, which in no point or time did I thought I'll be judged on.

I don't know if i'm able to translate what I'm trying to say, but so be it. I havn't done anything that justifies such a drastic event (in my opinion and drastc for, me at least). I'm in a bit of an overall shock.

[Mike Haven]

Pacific Poker is operated by Cassava Enterprises (Gibraltar) Limited, a member of the Interactive Gaming Council (http://www.igcouncil.org/complaints.php).

Make a formal complaint to the IGC if your money isn't transferred to your Neteller account on Monday.

[silencio]

Hi Yuval

Very sorry for what has happend to you.

If I am not mistaken (And I am 90% sure that it's true) 888.com also known as casino.net who also operates pacific poker (and claim to be the largest internet casino) are owned by Israelis. This makes it ilegal for them (that's what I read, I am not familiar with the legal mumbo jumbo) to do business with Israelis.

Unfortunately, you hadn't used your real address which made it impossible for them to warn you. This will also make it difficult for you to claim your money, so if the address you gave is not totaly fake (you know someone living there or something like that) I would try to use that as some sort of legal loophole to convince them that it is not totaly your fault. I am surprised though as to the amount of time it took them to find out. On the other hand , I envy you for managing to turn 10$ into 8000$ in one year and I am sure that you will probably be able to repeat the process.