Futurebet- licensed card room Pure Poker.com unexpectedly went off-line this week, allegedly for “temporary” but unspecified reasons according to a brusque statement on what is left of the site.
Alarmingly, players claim that this was done without communicating with them in advance, and several are now deeply concerned about monies they had tied up in their accounts. Arnold Lal, the director of client relations at Futurebet’s Vancouver offices made the following statement when approached:
“The site is “temporarily” down due to financial restructuring by Pure Poker. We are working closely with them in order to rectify the situation and come to a quick resolution regarding their player concerns. If you have any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.” Contact numbers include 604-909-3317
That “financial restructuring” phrase will send a chill down the backs of experienced players, because in the past it has been used as a euphemism for ‘broke’ by online gambling operations in dire straits.
This has been pointed out to Futurebet, together with a request for details of arrangements for looking after the owed players in the event that this restructuring does not pan out. We have also suggested to them that it might be a good idea to communicate with their player base and let them know what’s happening as developments occur.
In the meantime, online gamblers have no option but to stop playing at this venue, although in the absence of contact addresses for the people who actually own Pure Poker it may be a good idea to contact Futurebet and ask them to log an objection to the lack of public information on this closure.