Another USA-friendly poker site will be permanently closing its virtual doors as PokerHost has announced that operations will cease on July 31 2018. Players were notified via email and are advised to submit withdrawal requests of their remaining account balances as soon as possible.
In business since 2005, the impending shutdown of PokerHost has come as somewhat of a surprise. However, upon further analysis, it isn’t that shocking considering that PokerHost players weren’t benefiting from the promos and perks that other players on the same network enjoyed.
Standalone Cashier
PokerHost has been a skin on the Winning Poker Network for the past four years, right alongside Americas Cardroom and Black Chip Poker. Its payment processing functions were handled independently from the WPN cashier, and besides from that PokerHost players weren’t receiving the same generous deals with regard to bonuses and promotions.
With ACR and BCP available as more lucrative choices, the writing was on the wall for PokerHost players, many of whom likely stuck around due to loyalty. For some, that allegiance goes back 13 years when PokerHost launched on the Dobrosoft Network.
Poker Site Vagabond
The following years saw PokerHost jump ship to a number of different networks that included Tribeca, Microgaming, Cake, Merge, Equity, and WPN. While some players lost money due to scandals at two sites among those networks – Lock Poker and Full Flush Poker – PokerHost players did not due to its independent cashier operations.
There is no reason to believe that player funds are in jeopardy at this time either considering the PokerHost shutdown announcement urging players to submit cashout requests immediately. This creates a fine opportunity for previously loyal PokerHost players to take their withdrawn funds and create a new account at either Americas Cardroom or Black Chip Poker.
Supersize Me Please
ACR is currently running a special supersized first-time deposit bonus of 200% up to $1,000 for depositors who use Bitcoin or any of the more than 60 cryptocurrencies accepted at the WPN cashier. That’s a limited time special that comes at a perfect time for PokerHost players familiar with the crypto market. Those who prefer depositing in US dollars still receive a generous 100% up to $1,000 bonus.
Aside from the deposit bonus, new Americas Cardroom and Black Chip players will receive 20 days of free cash up to $50, as well as a seat in the New Depositor Freerolls hosted for the rest of the month. Those perks are available whether that first deposit is via cryptocurrency (200% up to $1,000) or USD (100% up to $1,000).
Farewell PokerHost
It’s sad to see PokerHost go the way of the dinosaur considering its longstanding success in the industry and its dedication to paying its players and running an independent operation while doing so. On the bright side, all player bankrolls remain redeemable and the option to deposit at more generous USA-friendly sites is a boost that players will enjoy.
While saying good-bye to a reputable and trustworthy US-facing poker site is indeed regrettable, online poker is constantly changing and successful players are the ones who learn to adapt and roll with the changes. Kudos to PokerHost for a good run and its solid reputation throughout the years.
