Online Gaming

[SPX]

I know there is a section of the site for this, but I wanted to put it where people would see it as it's become an immediate situation for me.

I signed up with Ultimate Bet and deposited $50 and I now find that that $50 has turned into $410 and growing.

I have tried to do some research on the exact legalities of the online gaming situation in the US and have found statements ranging from "gambling online is absolutely, definitely illegal" to "online gambling is absolutely, definitely not illegal."

I know that UB only pays by check, which I hear can be slow, but more importantly I am worried about the possible ramifications of processing the check through my account. Will feds or the state police be knocking on my door ready to take me to jail? Furthermore, if it IS illegal, why will banks even process the credit card transactions?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[EasyRhino]

Googling has lead me to believe that the UIGEA made funding of illegal gambling illegal. Unfortunately, it didn't define what gambling was illegal. The Wire Act definitely says that online sports betting is illegal, but is unclear on other categories.

Even before the UIGEA, most credit card companies blocked gambling transactions, just as company policy.

But that's not the current problem. The problem is that you've got four hundred bucks and ultimatebet, and it's not doing you any good just sitting there in cyberspace. What are you going to do, not cash out? Don't be a pussy.

Checks are lame, mainly because they're slow. And there's chance that you may get a check from a payment processor which will bounce for some reason when you try to deposit it (because the processor's account is overdrawn/closed). It's pretty unlikely that your bank will give a damn. If you're really concerned, take the check to a check-cashing place.

 

[SPX]

Googling has lead me to believe that the UIGEA made funding of illegal gambling illegal. Unfortunately, it didn't define what gambling was illegal. The Wire Act definitely says that online sports betting is illegal, but is unclear on other categories.

Even before the UIGEA, most credit card companies blocked gambling transactions, just as company policy.

But that's not the current problem. The problem is that you've got four hundred bucks and ultimatebet, and it's not doing you any good just sitting there in cyberspace. What are you going to do, not cash out? Don't be a pussy.

Checks are lame, mainly because they're slow. And there's chance that you may get a check from a payment processor which will bounce for some reason when you try to deposit it (because the processor's account is overdrawn/closed). It's pretty unlikely that your bank will give a damn. If you're really concerned, take the check to a check-cashing place.

Well I fully intend to cash it out. Just want to know what to expect/what I'm getting into, especially since I also sometimes play poker and would like to turn it into a regular thing.

Have you actually heard stories of checks bouncing or are you just speculating? It seems that the bigger enterprises, like Ultimate Bet or Bodog, would make sure to keep their customers happy if only so that they keep their customers period. Also, those two in particular seem to cater more to US customers then many of the others. Ultimate Bet's always advertising the WSOL/WSOP/all the other poker broadcasts, after all.

 

[EasyRhino]

A couple of casinomeister people reported getting checks that have bounced. Haven't had it happen to me personally.

Here's my rough ranking cashout convenience factors:

1) Neteller (no longer available)
2) Ecocard
3) Click2pay (no longer available)
4) ACH (electronic funds transfer to bank)
5) check
6) Western Union / Moneygram

If your ultimate goal is to get cash money to go spend on hookers and taffy, then WU and moneygram are slightly more desireable for amounts under $500.

 

[SPX]

A couple of casinomeister people reported getting checks that have bounced. Haven't had it happen to me personally.

Here's my rough ranking cashout convenience factors:

1) Neteller (no longer available)
2) Ecocard
3) Click2pay (no longer available)
4) ACH (electronic funds transfer to bank)
5) check
6) Western Union / Moneygram

If your ultimate goal is to get cash money to go spend on hookers and taffy, then WU and moneygram are slightly more desireable for amounts under $500.

Up to $451 at the moment.

As I'm kind of between residences right now, I don't even have an address they could send a check to so I intend to just keep playing until I have a mailbox.

I'm kind of surprised that Bodog and Ultimate Bet don't use EcoCard. It would be a lot nicer if the politicians would just chill and be cool and let people be people.

 

[SPX]

I'm happy to announce that I am up to $903. Not too bad for starting with $50. I'm having a bitch of a time get past the $1000 mark though.