Arizona Orders Club WPT Online Poker to Stop Operations
The state said the site enabled under-21 play, while ClubWPT Gold separately rolled out a new training-credit model.
Arizona regulators sent cease-and-desist orders to five online gambling companies: BetOpenly, Bookmaker, Club WPT Online Poker, Kutt Inc. and Raffle Creator. The department said the cases involved alleged promotion of gambling, illegal control of an enterprise and money laundering.
According to KOLD, Club WPT Online Poker was also accused of enabling underage players in pay-to-play poker tournaments by using the phrase “no purchase necessary.” The department said the named companies were directed to stop all gambling operations.
Jackie Johnson, the department director, said Arizona was taking decisive action against illegal gambling operators that put Arizonans at risk, and that operators must stop promoting illegal gambling.
KTAR reported that the enforcement push was meant to address an increase in illegal gambling in the state. The same report said BetOpenly, Club WPT Online Poker and Raffle Creator were accused of enabling people under 21 to take part, and that residents were advised to make sure gambling activities are conducted through an ADG-approved operator.
Separately, CardPlayer reported that ClubWPT Gold announced a new business model that scrapped free-to-play games and Gold Coins. Players now buy poker training credits to play and redeem winnings for prizes.
The site also introduced a hand analysis tool that gives feedback on past hands, analyzes every action and shows how close a player was to game theory optimal play. Each Hand Analyses purchase comes with Chips that can be used to play games on ClubWPT Gold, and those Chips can be used for poker with real cash prizes.
Doug Polk said the shift made sense in light of the legal landscape for U.S. poker, and ClubWPT Gold said the launch was the latest step in its long-term vision for a training-and-playing experience unlike anything else in the industry.
