Do you trust online gaming companies with your money?

An online poker giant has been charged with duping millions in a years-long Ponzi scheme. (iStock)The CEO of popular online gambling company is facing up to 145 years in jail for his alleged role in what the FBI is calling a multi-million-dollar international Ponzi scheme.

Raymond Bitar, founder of the now defunct Full Tilt Poker, was arrested Monday morning at John. F. Kennedy International Airport in New York according to a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The California native had been living in Ireland, where Full Tilt was headquartered, since April of 2011 when he was first indicted in a government crackdown on the U.S. online poker industry.

"I returned voluntarily to the U.S. from Full Tilt's headquarters in Ireland to face the charges against me," Bitar said in a statement released by his Attorney. "I know that a lot of people are very angry at me.  I understand why. Full Tilt should never have gotten into a position where it could not repay player funds."

Bitar is accused of misleading Internet poker customers by lying to them about the security of their funds. Officials determined that more than $430 million had been paid to Bitar and other company owners while Full Tilt Poker was in operation, while only $60 million to $70 million remained in accounts to reimburse players.

According to the FBI, Full Tilt defrauded customers to tune of $350 million, which is still owed to players in the U.S. and around the world.

Bitar, 40, faces a multitude of charges, including conspiracy to violate gambling laws, operation of an illegal gambling business, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. If convicted on all charges, he faces a potential maximum prison sentence of 145 years.

"With today's arrest and the new charges brought against him, Raymond Bitar will now be held criminally responsible for the alleged fraud he perpetrated on his U.S. customers that cost them hundreds of millions of dollars," said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara Monday afternoon.

"The indictment alleges how Bitar bluffed his player-customers and fixed the game against them as part of an international Ponzi scheme that left players empty-handed."

Bitar pleaded not guilty in a hearing in Manhattan federal court Monday, and will be able to be out on bail after posting a $2.5 million bond.

He is one of 11 people charged in connection with the FBI's 15-month-long effort to prosecute three leading online poker companies; Full Tilt Poker, Poker Stars and Absolute Poker. The Wall Street Journal reports that he is the most significant person to be arrested in this case so far.

Countless people all over the world have been duped in these online poker scams according to the FBI. Were you one of them?

Share your first hand stories and comments below. Has online gambling affected your bank account?