BY TOM SOMACH

Online poker players and other online gamblers now have one less option for funding online wagering.

E-wallet EcoCard (www.ecocard.com) has made official what has been rumored for weeks: it’s pulling out of the U.S. market. In an e-mail it just sent out to its customers, a copy of which was obtained by PokerHelper.com, EcoCard stated:

“In the light of recent industry developments, EcoCard has decided it will no longer process any payment transactions originating from U.S.-located customers that may be related to Internet gambling.

“This change will be effective from 24 Aug., 2007, at 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

“Please note that after this date, U.S.-located customers will still be able to continue to use their EcoCard account at non-Internet gambling supported merchants, to make person-to-person money transfers and for withdrawals.

“Please be assured that your account will not be closed or suspended after the effective date and you will still be able to withdraw any funds after the effective date.

“Please note that before the effective date you can continue to deposit with and receive funds from your preferred EcoCard merchant(s).

“Customers located in other parts of the world (except the U.S.) are not affected by this change.

“All transactions for these customers will operate with no disruptions.

“We apologize for the inconvenience resulting from this change.”

EcoCard is just the latest so-called e-wallet or Internet money-transferring service to ban Americans, because of anti-online gambling laws in the U.S.

Earlier, e-wallets PayPal (www.paypal.com) and NETeller (www.neteller.com), among others, did the same.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)