Rival Gaming has stopped accepting new registrations from the US whilst Merge Gaming are understood to be accepting new US players in the coming days.
Firstly on to Rival Gaming, suspicions on whether they would stop taking new US players were confirmed when operator affiliate program network, AffiliateWIDE, communicated to their affiliates:
“We have received notification from our software provider, Rival that as from 7th August we will no longer be able to accept new US player registrations. Please note your existing US players will still be able to deposit and you will continue to earn commission on player generated revenues”.
The statement by AffiliateWIDE also confirmed that all their properties will be switching to the TopGame software so they can continue to serve the US market and its players. Their online casinos are Box 24 Casino, Spartan Slots, SlotoCash and Black Diamond Casino.
Rival Gaming has surely suffered as a result of this decision as they were one of the largest gambling networks taking bets from US players. Processing has been a major issue with quite a few Rival powered casinos shutting their doors to US players in June. They include: BetUS Casino, ClubVegasUSA, Cocoa Casino, Da Vincis Gold, Golden Cherry Casino, Pantasia Casino, Paradise8 Casino, Ruby Royal, SlotoCash, Superior Share Casino and ThisIsVegas Casino.
On a more positive note for US players, Merge Gaming is the open its door to new US players in the coming days. According to PokerAffiliateSolutions.com, Sportsbook.ag (which was known as Sportsbook.com for many years) has started accepting new US players.
There are strong rumours that Merge Gaming will be accepting new US players in the coming days after blocking new US players in the last couple of months. Merge Gaming has responded to their network virtually at a standstill as a result from the Black Friday events.
This shift in strategy from Merge Gaming will see them be the largest network to accept new US players. This will impact Bodog and Cake Poker who continued to accept US players throughout the uncertain period. Whilst Merge Gaming re-opening their doors to US players is positive news, one can only help wonder how long for.
The future of the US online gambling market is unclear as even industry giants and mavericks, Bodog will stop accepting US players at the end of the year. Many operators have stopped their activities towards the US as the DoJ has forced many of the small operators to cease trading. Furthermore, regulation is coming so being prepared is key.