Quote from DesertTrader:
The regs do change from time to time; however, I believe this restriction is still alive and well. CBOE recently amended this rule in May to lift the prohibition for certain classes of professionals. Using multiple accounts with the same benefucal owner is also restricted (tough to enforce). As one of the RAES bandits in the late 90s, I am painfully aware of each and every one of these rules used to keep the market makers from getting creamed daily by high tech retail customers.
From the CBOE rule book;
Rule 6.8C. Prohibition Against Members Functioning as Market-Makers
(a) Members may neither enter nor permit the entry of customer orders into the Exchange's electronic Order Routing System if (i) the orders are limit orders for the account or accounts of the same beneficial owner(s) and (ii) the limit orders are entered in such a manner that the beneficial owner(s) effectively is operating as a market maker by holding itself out as willing to buy and sell such securities on a regular or continuous basis.
(b) In determining whether a beneficial owner effectively is operating as a market maker, the Exchange will consider, among other things, the simultaneous or near simultaneous entry of limit orders to buy and sell the same security and the entry of multiple limit orders at different prices in the same security.
Approved May 4, 2001 (2001-20); amended April 2, 2009 (09-009).