LOCK-ed Out

Lock Poker has been off-line for nearly a week now. This leads many to believe the online poker site has shut down for good, while still owing players millions of dollars. In the past Lock Poker has been suspect of insolvency, and hasn’t processed a cash out in over a year.

This is bad news for anyone with money still on the site. For some time now players have been reporting problems with cash outs. Previously Lock Poker was a prominent offshore site serving US players, who were left with few options to play post Black Friday.

Once a part of the Merge Gaming Network alongside Carbon Poker, Lock Poker was a reputable site. However in May of 2012, they were forced out by the network and formed the Revolution Network.

Both parties cried foul, with Merge claiming Lock owed a substantial debt to the network in unpaid bills. 

Over the past few years Lock has been bashed by most poker news outlets and player forums. Many complained of slow payouts, which had become common place on the site. Cash game traffic on the site had begun to dry up as well.

The Fallout

Some estimates put the total dollar amount owed to players as high as $15 million. If this is true someone should be held accountable, starting with Lock Poker CEO Jennifer Larson and the sites regulator in Curacao. In addition Lock Poker technical support for players is currently unavailable.

To make things worse Lock was accepting player deposits right up until the site went offline last week. This is an example of US players not being protected by a regulated market. With US players being unable to play on sites such as PokerStars or Full Tilt, they have to look elsewhere.

If this is truly the end of Lock Poker and players are not paid, it could become the biggest loss of deposits since the Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet scandal in 2011.

Alternatives: Is Poker Still Safe?

Our top pick for reliable poker in the US is Americas Cardroom on the Winning Poker Network, consistently processing withdrawals promptly and offering 27% rakeback on demand.

By Dan Dececco, Rakeback.com Freelance Author