Full Tilt Shut Down Worldwide

Today Full Tilt was instructed by the Alderney Gaming Control Commission in Britian's Channel Islands to shutdown it's entire operation.  Players around the world trying to log on to the Full Tilt gaming software were unable to not only play, but to withdraw any funds that are currently on the site.


Here is the statement from the regulator in its entirety:

“In the matters of:-VANTAGE LIMITED OXALIC LIMITED FILCO LIMITED And ORINIC LIMITED
Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) has today issued Hearing Notices under Regulation 46 of the Alderney eGambling Regulations, 2009 to the above named companies who collectively trade as FULL TILT POKER.

In addition, AGCC has issued Suspension Notices under Regulation 47 of the Alderney eGambling Regulations, 2009 to the above named companies requiring them to immediately suspend operations.

The above named companies must, until the Suspension Notices are cancelled or the Commissioners of AGCC have reached a determination at the conclusion of the hearing convened in accordance with Regulation 46 of the Alderney eGambling Regulations, 2009 cease to exercise their eGambling licenses, which means that these licensees must from today cease to:-

Register new customers;
Accept deposits from existing customers;
Allow existing customers to withdraw funds that are held in their accounts; and
Permit customers to participate in any form of poker game play or gambling
transaction.

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission will hear the matters contained in the Hearing Notices at a Regulatory Hearing which will commence at 10.00am on Tuesday 26th July, 2011 at the Victoria Park Plaza Hotel, 239 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1EQ. In the event that there is a change to these details this notice will be amended.

André Wilsenach (Executive Director) Alderney Gambling Control Commission Alderney, Channel Islands"

This action in large part due to the indictments laid against some members of the company this past April by the U.S. Justice Department. Added to this was the concern the Alderney Gaming Control expressed about Full Tilt's failure to pay the $150 million owed to American poker players.  This echoes the concerns that Phil Ivey brought forward in his lawsuit against Full Tilt in May.  You can read more about Ivey's lawsuits here - Phil Ivey Pulls Out of the 2011 WSOP and here - Ivey-Tiltware Complaint 060111.

Full Tilt will have it's license suspended at least until July 26, 2011 when there will be a hearing about the matter.

For now Full Tilt is looking for backers so that it can make good on the money it owes it's players.  One name that might have already expressed interest according to the Wall Street Journal On-Line is Jack Binion, a well known poker personality.

Here is the link to the Wall Street Journal story - Regulator Closes Full Tilt Poker Website

Jack Binion - Possible backer?