Background On Neteller And Port Security Act

In October, President Bush signed the "Port Security Act" to "increase port security" which included a completely unrelated clause in to somehow prevent online gaming – particularly online poker play. Specifically, it bans the use of credit cards, checks and electronic fund transfers for Internet gaming.

There has been increasing support within the government against this law – most notably U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato who has joined the Poker Players Alliance as their Chairman of the Board as well as House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank who has stated that the law is “preposterous” and”one of the stupidest ever passed”..

In January, the government extended their efforts by cracking down on Neteller – which is a major site that poker players used to fund their accounts. Neteller founders Stephen Lawrence and John Lefebvre were arrested in January on a charge of conspiracy to transfer funds with the intent to promote illegal gambling. When customers of Neteller tried to take their money out, they were told the money has been "put on hold". Neteller offers few instructions for customers trying to cash out their accounts. "We are working to resolve all withdrawal issues, but in the meantime we continue to maintain these funds in trust on your behalf," says a posting on the company's website.
Neteller Customer Coalition Organized, Growing, and Becoming Increasingly Upset

Over 250 frustrated NETeller customers who have received no information organized into a group called the NETeller Customer Coalition. Members of the group are furious over NETeller’s decision to deny US customers access to their funds.

Many of the group’s members have patiently waited for US Attorney Michael Garcia’s announcement about whether the Department of Justice will be proceeding with the case against NETeller’s two founders. But the head of the NETeller Customer Coalition says “more and more people are losing patience every day, and these people better hear some good news from NETeller very soon.” The group is been considering initiating legal action against NETeller as early as March 19.

“We understand that the government is at fault here too”, he adds, but “People are tired of NETeller’s do-nothing/say-nothing attitude and they’re not going to just sit back and take it.”

The group has grown quickly since its inception back in late February, with an average of of 30-40 new members daily.

Some members of the group only have a couple hundred dollars stuck at NETeller, while others have tens of thousands. “The injustice of this whole debacle is much larger than just dollar amounts,” says one member with about $800 stuck.

Another member has $84,000 frozen by NETeller, funds he earned legitimately as a site affiliate -- not by gambling. And yet another victim was cut off from the $35,000 he was paid as a writer for various poker publications.

In total the group’s members have over $750,000 frozen by NETeller. More than a dozen individuals have over $20,000 stuck. “These are the kinds of figures that can keep a killer legal team motivated,” said the group’s founder. “And there’s still thousands of other NETeller customers who don’t know about us.”

The NETeller Customer Coalition provides more than a place for irate customers to get even. There’s also a tremendous collection of educational materials available. The group has links to dozen of resources -- everything from Department of Justice press releases to YouTube videos.

A number of PDF documents have been uploaded so members can review things like the FBI’s sealed complaint for themselves. There’s also a chronological library of news articles connected to the case.

The group’s message board provides an excellent forum for members to exchange strategies. “It’s amazing how creative and determined people are when their money is held hostage,” observed one of the group’s moderators.