Betcoin Poker Operation Shut Down

Having been established in 2014, Betcoin may have been the world’s oldest Bitcoin-based internet-gambling site, but it has now reached the end of the road. According to an official note released by Betcoin, it was acquired by a mystery owner on December 18th, with the site subsequently ceasing its poker operation on Christmas Day of 2017. As the announcement read:
“We know this is a sad day for all of our poker players and it is unfortunate for us as well. To all our fantastic poker players, thank you so much for making Betcoin your home for poker.”
Poker may have disappeared from Betcoin, but it will nonetheless continue to offer customers its casino, live casino and sports betting product.
Following announcement of the surprise news, a number of loyal customer expressed their disappointment at seeing the site’s poker offering go. The same is not true across the board, though, as Betcoin has attracted a great deal of criticism over the years from players frustrated by apparently dubious behavior and practices.
Counted amongst the long list of shady allegations levied against the site is allowing a large numbers of bots to play at its cash-game tables in order to boost its overall traffic, and failing to punish the perpetrators of a large collusion ring. It has even been accused of charging an excessive rake to fund a bad beat jackpot which it never honored, with questions now remaining as to what will be done with the funds people contributed to the jackpot now that it will be discontinued. As one disgruntled customer commented after its closure:
“Are you planning to distribute the BBJ money ($800,000) to the players on a pro-rata basis based on how much they contributed? If not this seems like outright theft.”
With its departure from the poker space, online poker players taking to various forums have expressed their hope that a new, professional and more scrupulous site will soon emerge to replace it.