Full Tilt Poker Pulls Out of US Market

I’ve been away for most of the day, but there’s been a lot going on with online poker and the government today. The latest is that Full Tilt Poker pulled out of US market. Here’s the press release:

Full Tilt Poker Supports Poker Players And Its Chief Executiv

eDublin Ireland (April 15, 2011)- Full Tilt Poker is saddened by today’s chargesagainst its CEO Raymond Bitar and offers its full support to Mr. Bitar and Nelson Burtnick.

Online poker is a game of skill enjoyed by tens of millions of people in the United States and across the world. And, Full Tilt Poker remains as committed as ever to preserving the rights of those players to play the game they love online. Mr. Bitar and Full Tilt Poker believe online poker is legal – a position also taken by some of the best legal minds in the United States. Full Tilt Poker is, and has always been committed to preserving the integrity of the game and abidingby the law.

“I am surprised and disappointed by the government’s decision to bring these charges. I look forward to Mr. Burtnick’s and my exoneration,” said Mr. Bitar.

Unfortunately, as a result of this action, Full Tilt Poker has decided that it must suspend “real money” play in the United States until this case is resolved. However, Full Tilt Poker will continue to provide peer-to-peer online poker services outside of the United States.

This will continue to develop. Check this story to get all of the basic info on the online poker seizures.