Since 1998, Pinnacle Sports has been doing online business with US citizens who enjoy gambling, but when American gamblers signed onto their accounts this morning, they were informed they could no longer place bets with this sports book located in Curacao.

Pinnacle's "main man" gave EOG an exclusive interview this morning and here is some of what he had to say:

"It is with sadness that we have chosen to leave the US market, but we are so grateful for all the customers we've acquired throughout the years"

When asked why Pinnacle Sports elected not to give any advance notice, he stated the following:

"We didn't want anyone to have time to take shots at us."

He started to reflect at this point:

"When the U.S. focuses on something and says 'enough,' and when they go to 'war,' no individual company can possibly win in a fight of this nature."

"Since the Internet Gambling Bill went into effect, we have lost the ability to do business with many quality banks."

"Fortunately, 35-40% of our current gambling business is non US driven, and perhaps more importantly, we are experiencing stronger growth in Europe and Asia, than we are in the United States."

"So why live in fear?"

To conclude, all US citizens are encouraged to ask for their balances as soon as possible. Pinnacle assured Eye on Gambling that everyone will be paid promptly.

The following message is posted on their web site:

Effective Immediately...

After careful consideration, Pinnacle Sports have chosen to voluntarily exit the U.S. market. Accordingly, wagers will no longer be accepted from clients within the U.S. as of Thursday, January 11, 2007.

Those clients who are affected will be required to withdraw their balances using the Cashier of their account. We assure all our clients your balances are available and Pinnacle will continue providing our international clients our same great value.

-- Kenneth Weitzner, The Shrink (shrink @ eog.com)