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Here’s more bad news on the internet poker online front. According to multiple newspaper reports, thousands of poker online players have been unsuccessful in trying to wrestle back $13 million seized by federal investigators in a San Diego, California case that raises questions about the legality of the online game. U.S. Federal investigators took the money from a San Diego-based company that processed payments for players and whose owner was later indicted.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller in San Diego denied a bid Thursday by lawyers for the company, Account Services Inc., and the Poker Players Alliance to return the money. The players group is an advocacy organization that represents some 1 million poker online players.

While Miller’s ruling dealt with a specific legal issue, a larger and unresolved question is whether online poker playing is illegal under federal law.

Lawyers for the players contend prosecutors in the case have used questionable tactics to hold on to the money, and have avoided arguing the legality question. Now, after Miller ruled against them, it could be years before they see any of the money. This is obviously outright theft by the U.S. Government and is completely unaccetable. Hopefully, this kind of behavior will cease and cease soon.

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