[westmt01]

I'm an equity analyst, and I can tell you if any fund manager (i.e. mutual fund, hedge fund, private MM, etc.) had a proviso in his/her investment policy stating they could not invest in companies that are in violaion of the law, every fund/portfolio/account would be empty. Just about every company, at one point or another, makes a business decision to violate/disregard a law.

The sites that are temporarily blocking withdrawals are almost certainly waiting for the dust to settle, and for their lawyers to come up with some legal opinions on how this is all going to play out. I serious doubt any reputable site is going to steal your money. I would just be patient.

That being said, I also don't buy for a minute this "business as usual" nonsense. The US Gov't is serious about blocking funding to these sites, and while there will be a number of enterprising individuals who will get around the new regs, none of the fish will bother. Internet poker will be drastically different until the gov't wakes up and regulates the industry; I believe they will one day reach the conclusion that this is best for everyone. But it won't happen quickly, IMHO.

In the meantime, don't panic. I seriously doubt you're not going to get your money.