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While many of the top online poker players from the US have decided to move abroad in order to continue plying their trade after Black Friday, other players –perhaps without the means or the want-to to move abroad—have decided to skirt the US ban by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to mask their IP address’ location; making it appear to be from another country.

But it seems that the latter option may be drying up as PokerStars VIP Manager went on the 2+2 Pokercast and said:  “We’re not really sure what will happen (to the suspended accounts) yet… The accounts get frozen, and then we wait for guidance from the independent moderator who was appointed by the Department of Justice as to what to do with the funds in these accounts and the ability to play in the future.” Day went on to add the following warning to his comments: “Tell all your friends — it’s a mistake to try to do this… Many people are getting caught, and the consequences are severe. We have to enforce the rules.”

PokerStars has also updated their Terms and Conditions to reflect this change, as well as creating a FAQ on the topic which reads:

“Can I use a VPN or IP randomizer to appear as though I am outside the US and still play on PokerStars.com from within the United States?”

“No. Real money play is not allowed from within the US under any circumstances. Players who attempt to play for real money from inside the US with the aid of VPNs or other technical workarounds will lose their playing privileges and/or funds in their account.”

There are numerous accounts on the online poker forums of players asking about VPN usage, as well as more sporadic claims of the sites freezing their accounts for using a VPN, so take Day’s words very seriously!