Starting August 15, a growing number of Ukrainian players have reported that there are no longer iPoker services available, whilst Russian player reports indicate that “some” iPoker skins have also exited from the Russian market as the regulatory clampdown in that country gathers momentum (see previous reports).
The Ukrainian players claim that they were contacted by email by the Playtech online poker network and advised that they have until August 31 to withdraw any positive balances in their accounts.
Observers are puzzled by the decision, noting that Ukraine regulatory attitudes have been relatively relaxed, and that in the past there has been speculation that online gambling may be licensed and regulated.
Reported decisions to withdraw from Russia by Gala Poker and Coral Poker, along with Mansion Poker are perhaps more understandable, given the increasing pressure on internet gambling in the form of blacklists, ISP blocking, financial restrictions and threats of enforcement in recent months from the authorities, and especially the Ministry of Finance and the federal government telecommunications regulator, Roskomnadzor.