Many of use were first drawn to bitcoin and cryptocurrencies because we were unable to gamble at traditional online sportsbooks and poker rooms because we live in countries like the United States. Poker rooms like PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker were forced out of the U.S. about 10 years ago on a day that became known as "Black Friday". A few offshore poker rooms continued to operate but the U.S. government made it increasingly difficult to deposit at these gambling sites using credit cards or wire transfers. Things weren't much better in the world of sports betting since legal online sportsbooks were also hard to find in most states.
When bitcoin first appeared, I knew that it would change how we gambled online. I immediately started playing poker at Seals With Clubs and got hooked on slots at a number of bitcoin casinos. Pretty soon a number of high quality sportsbooks appeared like Nitrogen Sports that I also became an avid fan of. In short, everything looked rosy.
Sadly, things have started to deteriorate over the past year. CloudBet, who were once the second biggest crypto bookmaker after Nitrogen Sports, decided to restrict players from the United States and the UK. Following the tightening of online gambling legislation in the United Kingdom, Nitrogen Sports has also decided to block British sports bettors.
In Australia things are even worst for online poker players. Following a ban on online poker, major brands like PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker exited Australia and they were quickly followed by cryptocurrency friendly poker rooms like BetOnline Poker and Americas Cardroom.
While it is understandable that traditional gambling operators might feel it is too much hassle to operate in these jurisdictions, it is disappointing that cryptocurrency bookmakers, casinos and poker rooms are also throwing in the towel. In a couple of more years it might yet again be nearly impossible for U.S. citizens to gamble online.
SOURCES
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unlawful_Internet_Gambling_Enforcement_Act_of_2006
BetOnline Poker Room Exits Australia
https://www.bitcoingambling.io/cryptocurrency-gambling-news/betonline-crypto-poker-room-exits-australia
Online poker giants exit Australia as tougher laws loom
https://www.smh.com.au/business/online-poker-giants-exit-australia-as-tougher-laws-loom-20170801-gxmxyy.html
CloudBet now restricts players from the USA, UK, Hong Kong and Singapore
https://forum.bitcoingambling.io/threads/cloudbet-now-restricts-players-from-the-usa-uk-hong-kong-and-singapore.470/