Manhattan Grand Jury probe focused on Full Tilt Poker?

04/05/2010

The American enforcement noose may be about to tighten around the Internet's second largest online poker site, Full Tilt Poker, according to reports over the weekend in the respected Financial Times newspaper in the UK.

The newspaper claims that a Manhattan federal grand jury is probing the online poker company to determine whether there has been any violation of money-laundering laws in the United States.

The speculation is that indictments could be served on top US poker players resident in the United States who have been associated with Full Tilt, such as Chris Ferguson and Howard Lederer.

The FT says that one element in the Grand Jury investigations is an FBI enquiry into unspecified civil suits recently launched against Full Tilt. Although it is not known what cases are referred to, there was a high profile but unsuccessful attempt to sue Full Tilt and various named top players last year by disgruntled poker pro Clonie Gowan.

The FT notes that such indictments could mark a significant assault by the US federal government on online poker generally, and discourage the endorsement of major American professional poker players. However, the report emphasises that details of the inquiry are still unknown, with neither the Manhattan nor Justice Department enforcement officials either confirming or commenting on it so far.