Is Pokerstars preparing for New Jersey launch?.

By RP, October 31, 2015

US poker players who used PokerStars before it was shuttered on Black Friday in 2011, but who have ignored repeated calls to claim any restricted funds in their accounts, received an interesting email from the company this week which observers believe may indicate the online poker giant is gearing up for a New Jersey launch.

PokerStars recently achieved transactional waiver status as a precursor to full licensing by the Division for Gaming Enforcement in the Garden State, with one of the conditions being that the company “…escheat to the State of New Jersey all funds remaining in any PokerStars’ accounts for New Jersey players received prior to April 15, 2011.”

The full email reads:

“We first informed you in April 2011 that you have an account with PokerStars with the balance above and how to obtain the funds. To date you have not claimed the funds. As we recently have received approval in New Jersey and anticipate beginning to offer real-money online gaming soon, we wanted to provide you with the opportunity to obtain the funds.

“Please contact us immediately to obtain the funds, either in person, in writing (to PokerStars, c/o Fox Rothschild, LLP, 1301 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 400, Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401), or by email to support@pokerstars.net. You can also do this by logging into your PokerStars account. You’ll then be able to request the return of your remaining balance which we’ll process as quickly as possible.

“Our review of the account xxxxxxx indicates that there has been no contact or activity in your account for at least three years. Under New Jersey’s Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, we are required to make a diligent attempt to renew contact. If contact is not renewed we are required to transfer your account to the custody of the State of New Jersey. The State is required to maintain custody of these funds until you come forward to claim them from the State. The State must pay you interest when the funds are returned.

“If contact is not renewed by December 28 2015, we are required by law to transfer these funds to the custody of the State of New Jersey. Once the funds are transferred to the State, you will need to submit a claim to the New Jersey Unclaimed Property Department to recover your funds in accordance with the New Jersey’s Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.”