ACR Poker bans screen sharing and virtual machines in latest crackdown
Online poker operator strengthens rules with threat of account bans and fund confiscation should breaches occur
ACR Poker, formerly known as Americas Cardroom, has prohibited real-time screen sharing tools and virtual machines to clamp down on players gaining unfair advantages.
The new measures, which come into effect today, 3 August, will bar players from using the tools as it attempts to “ensure a level playing field” for its customers.
The operator, which is based in Costa Rica, has sent direct warnings to players who are known to have used the tools in the past, including those who have used them for training purposes.
Players who violate the new rules will receive a warning on the first offence, followed by account suspensions, permanent bans or potential confiscation of funds on further offences.
In terms of virtual machines, the measures mean that ACR Poker software must be accessed and run directly from a native hard drive.
Virtual machines allow users to run software via a different operating system without the need for a physical computer. For example, Linux users can access a Windows virtual machine for specific reasons.
The operator added that screen-sharing tools which allow players to remotely access another computer or operating system will be banned.
ACR Poker said the measures come as it works “tirelessly” to uncover “bad actors” on its platform.
The firm noted that a recent investigation revealed that multiple accounts had been involved in coordinated violations.
Eight accounts were banned for collusion, with a further 25 banned as a precaution due to their close relation to the accounts.
ACR Poker added that $184,000 had been reallocated to affected players as a result of the investigation, with tournament results corrected to reflect the fact.
Management said it would continue to invest heavily in technology to proactively detect and investigate potential violations.
Chris Moneymaker, ACR brand ambassador, said: “I’m sad that we have to engage in this high-tech game of ‘Whack-a-Mole’, but it’s important for us to try to stay ahead of the bad guys.
“I’ve been playing online poker for more than 20 years now, and just as the cheaters get more sophisticated, so have the poker rooms. ACR invests heavily in technology and people to deliver as fair a game as any of the major sites,” he added.