The Merge Poker Network has suspended all player-to-player transfers effective today. No explanation has been provided for the transfer restriction but it is presumed to revolve around affiliates and skins using the tool to break the network’s rakeback cap by paying players extra bonus money directly to their poker accounts.
Many believe it will affect network traffic with the most significant impact presumably realized by US players that send money to other players outside the country in order to facilitate cash outs and hurt players who use this method as a way to get staked to play.
Merge is one of the few remaining online poker networks still welcoming players from the United States.
Unable to withdraw funds in a timely manner, many US players may seek alternative online poker rooms to play on which is bad news for the network as there are already signs of downfall. In September the company’s long time CEO left and last month two rooms on the network closed. The network’s largest skin, Lock Poker left the network last spring to acquire the now Revolution Gaming Network.
