mtgox vs bitstamp price

[bitsapient]

This may have come up before, but are there any fundamental reasons why the price on Mt Gox (currently $880) is so much higher than the price on Bitstamp (currently $830)? Its a fairly obvious arbitrage, I'm surprised this gap is persisting for so long. Anyone shed any color?

[Kiki112]

I'v seen this before but haven't gave it much thought, wondering if some is exploiting market differences

[PenAndPaper]

Actually arbitrage should have closed the gap, which somewhat happened. Anyway Gox is over BTCchina as well 
Does the Chinese interest slowed down?

[Hondarydr]

I've noticed this too, and BitStamp is usually higher than BTC-E. I'm not quite sure what causes this but I've always wondered too.

[Itun]

The reason is because there were so many problems in withdrawing from Mt Gox.

It's to entice more customers I guess.

[odolvlobo]

The reason is because there were so many problems in withdrawing from Mt Gox.

Yes. It is difficult to get dollars out of MtGox, so most people buy bitcoins and withdraw those instead. That means that there is a high demand for bitcoins and a low demand for dollars, which leads a higher rate for bitcoins than other exchanges where dollars can be withdrawn.

It's to entice more customers I guess.

No. Mtgox does not control the prices on their exchange