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Online Poker Question

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wal66

wal66

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From what I have read it isn't illegal for me as a US citizen to actually play online poker rather it is illegal to use US financial institutions to transfer funds to these sites.

So my question is this. If I had a Canadian contact/friend and they funded an account via their Canadian bank/credit card and then transferred funds to my online poker account and then when I win I transferred funds back to them to cash out I technically wouldn't be breaking the law, right?

There are still a few sites accepting US citizens but the problem is if the government gets around to those sites you could still lose what you have in them or worse face legal problems. So I would rather not tempt fate.
 
The law is in regards to banks processing those transactions not individuals, so it would just be a waste, unless that's the only way you can get money on there.

If you play with sites that accept US residents you are tempting fate.
 
durito
The law is in regards to banks processing those transactions not individuals, so it would just be a waste, unless that's the only way you can get money on there.

If you play with sites that accept US residents you are tempting fate.
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I'm trying to translate. Are you saying it would be more prudent to simply open a bank account in another country myself? I'm simple in a lot of ways and this just adds to the list but wouldn't have have to be a resident or have some sort of temporary residency in order to open an account?

Secondly even if I could open an account elsewhere if I am within the US borders using US owned internet carries to transfer offshore account even though those aren't US owned isn't that even closer to money laundering than giving money to someone who is a legal resident to do it for me?

Those are questions not challenges because I'm not exactly sure what you were meaning.
 
Ok.

NetTeller, Western Union and PayPal aren't US option. I will have to look into what other legal options are available.


But it does sound as though my original line of thinking is viable and what's more completely legal until they restrict the laws even further which is great because I have a golfing buddy who is a dual citizen (or maybe he is still all Canadian) but in either case he has Canadian bank accounts and Canadian address.
 
durito
I would suggest not bothering, but Bovada and BetOnline have poker rooms. Payouts take between one and six months.
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Thanks.

I mean, I'm not looking to jump in any $5/$10 NL ring games but it would be fun to jump in a multi-table tourney once in a while or $1/$2 NL.

I miss playing poker from the comfort of my couch.
 
wal66
From what I have read it isn't illegal for me as a US citizen to actually play online poker rather it is illegal to use US financial institutions to transfer funds to these sites.

So my question is this. If I had a Canadian contact/friend and they funded an account via their Canadian bank/credit card and then transferred funds to my online poker account and then when I win I transferred funds back to them to cash out I technically wouldn't be breaking the law, right?

There are still sites accepting US citizens but the problem is if the government gets around to those sites you could still lose what you have in them or worse face legal problems. So I would rather not tempt fate.
Click to expand...

It's not illegal to play poker online in the USA (although some states of banned it - Washington). UIGEA legislation had to do with the processing of financial transactions. You saw the repercussions when the DOJ went after FTP on black friday for circumventing it.

If you want to play just deposit on a merge skin like carbon or lock. I think you're worrying needlessly because they aren't going to come after you for playing some micro limits to blow off steam. And the risk of losing whatever you deposit is just a cost of doing business. If you can manage risk correctly it's not a problem.

If you were playing higher limits it's a whole other story. People have posted on 2+2 about being contacted by the FBI because the activity on their financial accounts was flagged. As far as I know nothing came of it but they do the diligence to make sure it's has nothing to do with money laundering, terrorism, kiddie porn etc.

Just deposit and go play wal. The whole Canada thing is useless unless you're pulling in good dosh is pointless.
 
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