Full Tilt Hearing Introduces New Deadline

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) hearing for Full Tilt Poker was held at the Victoria Park Plaza Hotel in London yesterday, July 26, 2011. A large crowd of reporters and players was present.

Full Tilt Poker's operating license was suspended on June 29. The poker site halted all games and has not resumed operations ever since. While the hearing was expected to bring a change to the situation - resuming operations, reconciling players' payments, or other - it has disappointed. Instead, a new deadline was introduced: September 15, 2011.

The Hearing

Alderney introduced evidence that justifies its decision to suspend FTP's license.

Full Tilt Poker's lawyer asked for a private discussion, citing commercial sensitivity as potential investors show interest in the poker site. The committee accepted the argument and moved the hearing indoors to be held in private.

It was revealed in the hearing that Full Tilt Poker owes the AGCC around £250,000 in licensing fees.

The Outcome

In the interests of justice and those of Full Tilt customers, the meeting was adjourned with the intention to resume again at a later day, no later than September 15. The decision gives Full Tilt time to pursue and possibly complete a deal with an investor, with whom they may or may not be in negotiations, which could result in a better outcome for the players.

Do players have a clearer idea of what will become of Full Tilt Poker and their owed funds? Not really. Furthermore, players were evidently upset over the secretive hearing and delayed decision, which was not, they claim, concerned with "the protection of the player," as AGCC's Executive Director, André Wilsenach, had earlier said.