Today industry giant Sportsbook.com announced that they will no longer be taking any new U.S. players. However, they are not leaving the U.S. market entirely. Of course, this comes on the heels of “Black Friday” and now we know that the recent indictments of the largest poker companies in the world are going to have far reaching consequences for the current Internet gambling landscape. As one industry insider told us, “The industry has been shaken with this last play by the DoJ.”

The sudden move by Sportsbook.com could be seen as a knee-jerk reaction to the Poker indictments. But perhaps they are just being pro-active. As was mentioned in this space previously, the biggest worry that we had was the affect this may have on all processing companies that both take in and send money to U.S. players. Sportsbook may just be trying to protect what they already have. Or perhaps they just do not want all of the hassles that come with the ever growing group of scammers and disgruntled customers that have been flocking to offshore outfits. Or maybe, just maybe, they wanted to prevent Preet Bharara and his cohorts from the U.S. Attorney’s office from signing up to bet on the Jets.

Whatever their ultimate reason, Sportsbook.com and all of its affiliated brands will not be taking another new customer from the U.S. after May 1. This new policy affects their in-house brands PlayersOnly.com and SuperBook.com as well as books that use their platforms, services and customer service center, including Hollywood Sports and Linesmaker. This new direction affects all of their different gaming divisions too, including poker, casino, sports and horses.

Still, current and past U.S. players are still permitted to play using their current accounts. This is not an issue where players should run and current players really do not have to worry about their funds and customers living outside the US are still welcome to join. There is really no reason to close accounts and withdrawal from Sportsbook.com or any of their affiliated companies. They are still one of the largest, most financially stable groups on the ‘net.

This is a very similar path that VIP.com took shortly after the UIGEA was passed in 2006 and they are still going strong, perhaps even better for the loyal customers that remain with them. And, it may work out that way for Sportsbook customers as well.

Keep your eyes here for the latest updates on this breaking story.