On Monday, it was announced that the domain name and website funtimebingo.com had been seized by the FBI as the US authorities try to stop online gambling in the US. While it is legal to gamble online in the UK, it is not legal in the US. It is expected that many online bingo site will close in the next few months.
With possible sentences of up to 20 years in prison, it is not surprising to see online Bingo operators move away from the US market. The latest network to close its sites in the US is World Bingo Network and includes sites such as USA Bingo, Desperate Housewives Bingo, Bingo Workz, Fair ‘n Square Bingo, Wave Bingo. Bingo Tropic, Bingo Comics, Bingo Oasis and Bingo Gang.
The company informed player by email that it was closing the sites and said: “Unfortunately, due to many circumstances totally beyond our control, World Bingo Network will close its doors, effective May 27, 2011.”
On the website, a similar message is being displayed on the home page. It says: “A challenging environment and circumstances beyond our control have made it impossible for us to continue operations. It is our intention to ensure that all players are taken care of and deposits refunded at the earliest possible time. All players will be receiving letters in this regard.”
The online bingo operator will now have to refund players who still had funds on their accounts and compensate staff who are being made redundant including marketing, customer service and WBN Management.
It will not be surprising to see more online operators close their sites in the US in the coming weeks.
Players in the UK can legally enjoy all sort of online games such as poker, casino games, bingo, backgammon, scratch cards and bet on thousands of sporting events or news events.