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CEREUS

Absolute Poker, UB Will Attempt to Liquidate Assets, Repay Players


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Absolute Poker and UB will be taking inventory of their assets and plan to sell their assets to give back to their customers.

Blanca Games Inc., owner of the CEREUS Network, which operates Absolute Poker and UB, has announced plans to liquidate its assets in order to reimburse U.S. and international customers.

The plan is pending SDNY/DoJ approval.

According to a Kahnawake Gaming Commission statement:

Over the past several weeks, we were advised of a potential solution prepared by Blanca and its representatives, establishing a process to liquidate Blanca’s assets and distribute proceeds to players. We understand that this process has been presented to SDNY for consideration and approval…the [KGC] has demanded that all parties complete their discussions and implement a reimbursement solution without further delay.

Read the statement in full here.

Where Full Tilt Poker owes global players an estimated $300-350M, CEREUS has a slightly more manageable nut of approximately $50M. Given the going rate for poker platforms these days (ranging on the low end of $10M, high-end of $115M), a sale of both the Absolute and UB software should effectively cover what’s owed in global player balances.

The crux, of course, is Federal approval of the plan.  Regardless, it’s still an encouraging sign. Whether or not it happens though…well, you know.

In related whether-or-not-it-happens-still-encouraging-sign news, rumors abound that key members of Groupe Bernard Tapie have been “embedded” at the Full Tilt offices for a few weeks. While that doesn’t necessarily mean that the financials of a potential deal will work out, it at least indicates a level of seriousness in getting something done.

At this stage, recovering any money from either CEREUS or Full Tilt would be a major win for global customers, and that there are still (apparent) serious efforts by both companies to make this happen is, if nothing else, encouraging.

For more flawless asset shots, go here.

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Paul Leggett on Cereus Security Issues



Cereus COO Paul Leggett joined Poker2Nite on its season finale to address the latest security issue on the site.

For the most part, standard spinning/damage control, but at least they’re getting out in front of the issue for a change. On the extended online version of the interview, Joe Sebok asked how Paul would respond to people who say that UB/Cereus has lied to people in the past, so they’re probably lying about this latest security issue as well. Leggett responds that he doesn’t “blame people for feeling that way.” He also said that it was “…very unlikely that someone was able to exploit [the security breach].” Probably not the explanation people want (just amazing that after all of the past problems there was yet another breach) but Paul goes on to note that the company refunded $24M to players from the past scandal (last we read it was $22M but maybe that $24M total includes the fines as well)

Watch the above clip for the full interview.

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CEREUS Blocks Kentucky IP Addresses


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Charlotte McKenna is a model from UK. Because we're arrogant U.S. Americans, we immediately thought that meant she went to the University of Kentucky. But no, apparently there is some "United Kingdom" across the Atlantic Ocean from us. Whatever.

The CEREUS network (comprised of online poker cheating sites Absolute Poker and UltimateBet) won't allow Kentucky IP addresses from accessing their sites. This is in accordance with Franklin County's  Circuit Court’s recent orders (from the domain seizure case).

From a press release:

"In complying with the Court’s orders, Tokwiro has agreed to implement an IP Block across its Absolute Poker and UltimateBet websites (both .net and .com), plus utlimatebet.tv. The Block will prevent players with IP addresses originating inside the Commonwealth of Kentucky from playing using AP and UB software, logging in or registering a new account, making deposits to the cashier, and transferring or receiving funds from other players. The IP Block will allow players with IP addresses originating in Kentucky to make withdrawals of existing account funds, but these players will not be able to make any new deposits or transfers.

Paul Leggett, Tokwiro’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We have taken this action in order to ensure that the vast number of our customers, who do not reside in Kentucky, continue to have access to our sites and to enjoy playing online poker without disruption or inconvenience.”

Love how CEREUS sites have suddenly developed a conscience. Hopefully everyone in the 49 other states will do a self-imposed banning of the CEREUS network now.

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Surely You Can’t Be CEREUS


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CEREUS is the name of the new Absolute Poker + UB super poker platform, which not ironically at all is also the name of the genus name for a cactus plant, as CEREUS will likely leave your account as dry as a desert.

In what has to be the best news ever for people who enjoy buying timeshares, taking part in pyramid schemes, flushing their money down the toilet, or simply getting robbed, Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker have decided to "integrate customers and features" and create one big super user account scamming online poker platform called CEREUS.

According to the press release:

Today, the management of both Absolute Poker and UltimateBet announced the upcoming launch of CEREUS: a new poker platform that will integrate the customers and features from both poker rooms, instantly making CEREUS the third largest online poker network.

Also according to the press release:

CEREUS is the result of more than 12 months innovation and development.

We’d love to sit in on those R&D meetings. "Ok guys, we’ve developed some ground-breaking super-user technology that will more randomize results so the guy manning the account doesn’t actually win EVERY SINGLE hand, minimizing short-term profits but enabling us to present more logical long-term winnings." "Brilliant!"*

There is so much wrong and ridiculous about this it’s, um, ridiculous. Doesn’t matter though as it seems most people don’t care and keep playing these sites. Regardless, read the full press release on the WCP forum here and pick out your favorite lines. For a reminder on why you should never, EVER play on these sites, go here, here, here, and here.

Related, Joanna Krupa doing Ed Hardy is cereusly super.

* Sadly, this conversation might’ve actually happened.

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