Arrest Warrant to Doom Seals With Clubs?

SwCPoker.eu, the Bitcoin-only poker site launched by Bryan Micon following the shutdown of the original Seal With Clubs in February, has yet to regain the player traffic averages previously recorded by its predecessor.

In its Weekly Online Poker Traffic Update, PokerScout.com revealed that SwCPoker.eu has about 38% of the cash game action compared to that of the old site before it was forced offline by Nevada gaming authorities. To be fair, the new Bitcoin-only site has been in operation only two months.

However, the recent arrest warrant issued in Nevada for site operator Bryan Micon for operating Seals With Clubs without the required licenses certainly doesn't instill confidence in players to patronize the new site. PokerScout called the site's future "cloudy at best" considering it is operating "without a full management team" and that Micon is facing charges that carry prison time and a hefty fine.

What started out as a belief in the future of Bitcoin in gaming and an idea to offer online poker to players in the U.S. who have had limited options since Black Friday has turned into a nightmare for Micon. He will apparently do his best to fight the charges filed against him in Nevada and has asked for assistance in doing so from the poker-playing public.

"The price for representation will quickly deplete my funds, and I am asking for donations from anyone who feels like helping me," Micon posted on a gofundme.com website entitled Bryan Micon's Legal Defense Fund.

A goal of $100,000 has been set. Forty-seven people have kicked in $3,155 so far - in four days.

As you can imagine, reactions are mixed among players who have voiced their opinions on the issue on online poker forums. Many are of the mind that Micon is facing an uphill battle in Nevada.

Now based in Antigua while operating SwCPoker, the low traffic numbers and perhaps erosion of player confidence in the new site may turn out to be a battle as well.