ClubWPT Gold is officially back and running in New York, readily accepting players from the state and allowing them to join ring games and tournaments without any restrictions.
The NY re-launch was originally announced by Doug Polk, one of the brand’s biggest ambassadors, on Jan 12, followed by another X post by the site. Reportedly, registered players from the state were also informed via email that they’re welcome to join the action again.
ClubWPT Gold’s return to the Empire State doesn’t come as a massive surprise, as Polk strongly hinted at the possibility during a live stream that followed the site’s switch to a new model. The change entailed a removal of the dual-currency system and the introduction of hand analyses, which are paid for using “tokens.”
- Generous Welcome Offer
- Daily freerolls & free SC offers
- Hold’em, Omaha and Mixed Games
As for the playing side, there is only one type of coin or currency used on the site, simply called “Chips.” These Chips can be exchanged for real money prizes (just like Sweeps Coins in the previous model), but they are awarded to players as a gift when purchasing tokens to use to analyze their hands and improve their understanding of the game.
If all this sounds somewhat complicated, you’re not alone in feeling this way. However, presumably, all these changes were introduced by ClubWPT Gold to allow the site to continue operating in the states with current and future bills banning the traditional sweepstakes model.
What’s Different for New York Players?
From everything we could see on the site and everything that’s been revealed by the operator thus far, there are no significant changes affecting New York online poker players. Unlike California, where ClubWPT Gold continues to operate despite the sweepstakes ban by offering special Game Days, it simply opened back up to New York, and it seems to be business as usual.
Players with existing accounts can log back in, purchase tokens to use on hand analyses, and receive their free Chips. New players can sign up as well, so there are no restrictions of any kind in place.
A month ago, New York outlawed the dual-currency sweepstakes model. The bill took immediate effect, and all operators, ClubWPT Gold included, left the market. Although the bill came into effect after ClubWPT Gold had already moved to a new model with the hand analysis feature, the operator decided to play it safe.
Now, only a few weeks later, they’re back in full force, and one can only assume that they’ve received reassurances that their current setup is in line with the New York anti-sweeps law in its current form. Presumably, if challenged, the operator will contest that their hand analysis tokens or credits do not represent a form of currency (as they can’t be used in any types of games), which means that their model is outside of the bill that heavily focuses on the traditional dual-currency setup.
A Short-Lived Gimmick or a Revolution?
ClubWPT Gold is back in New York, and for the little time the site has been back up in the state, everything seems to function normally. The question is, will this workaround stand the test of time, or will it be shut down in short order?
The company seems pretty convinced that they are in the clear, or, at least, that’s a logical explanation for their return. However, the move is a bit of a gambit. The law restricting sweepstakes poker in the Empire State gives the New York State Gaming Commission and the Attorney General the power to adopt a broad definition of sweepstakes and enforce the bill as needed.
Parties found to be operating afoul of the law, including payment processors, game content suppliers, and even media affiliates, can be held liable. So, in the event ClubWPT Gold overplayed its hand, even their streamers and ambassadors promoting the site could face consequences.
Without access to any behind-the-scenes information, it’s impossible to say either way. The company was probably given a go-ahead from their legal team, and it’s not entirely impossible they were in touch with the Gaming Commission and were told their current model is acceptable.
Only time will tell if this is a short-lived stunt that could have serious consequences for many parties involved or if ClubWPT Gold has started a revolution that will see a rebirth of sorts of the sweepstakes poker market across the United States.
