Going to Jail for Online Gambling?

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By Patrick Thompson

Are you one of those happy online gamblers who have decided not to continue playing in the amazing world of sports wagering, online poker or playing your favorite games at an online casino since you think you might be breaking the law?

Well, may be reading this might help you realize that you are not breaking any law.

One thing that should be clear from the beginning: GAMBLING ONLINE IS NOT ILLEGAL, at least not yet and apparently it will never be. However, if you live in Washington, careful, in this state it is a felony to wager online.

October 2006 was a crazy month for you, the gambler, and the operators. Basically all 2006, has been quite interesting regarding the online gambling industry.

It all started with Mr. Caruthers’s arrest. He was the CEO for Bet on Sports, one of the biggest pioneers in the sportsbook industry which was closed down and caused a severe impact to this amazing and fast growing business. At the beginning, everyone thought it was the end; lots of people involved in this industry were afraid. A chain reaction was expected, but did not happen. Even some major events to be held in Vegas were canceled due to fear of the Feds showing up to arrest industry businessmen.

The media has done a good job in informing the population that online gambling is illegal, therefore helping the US government spread this message. However if you make some research, you will find out this is not true.

In October, considered by some a deceptive move, congress was able to pass through the Port Security Bill in which a law that prohibits financial institutions transferring funds to and from gambling offshore sites was quietly attached. With this, republicans thought that they had won the war on gambling but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

After this law was approved, through a bill that has nothing to do with online gambling, some people were not happy. The bill was approved and this section regarding financial transactions was wisely placed in there with millions of people ignoring what was happening.

So, the Port Security Bill was passed and no longer can banks approve transactions related to online gambling. Some banks were not happy with this either, because if you think about it, why do banks have to check every transaction on their system to see what are they related to. The already have tons of pressure to avoid terrorism and money laundering, now the government wants them to keep an eye on online gambling?? No way, some of them said. The government is expecting banks to invest funds and efforts to avoid this… Of course they are not going to be happy with it. On the other hand if the government provides the funds that’s another story. But where do you think that money would come from? YOUR POCKETS… Yes, imagine the government not only using your taxes to fight terrorism, drugs but also online gambling.

All this has made some people conclude something: the law against online gambling is not possible to enforce.

But let’s go back to the title of this article: is gambling online illegal? NOT!

Until today, no one has been imprisoned for placing a 3 team parlay on their favorite picks for Sunday NFL Action, playing a multi table Omaha or Hold’em tournament at your poker room of choice or for playing Black Jack at an online casino.

Right now the main targets are banks and financial institutions. You, as a player, have nothing to worry about. Of course if you are expecting $10,000 from your sportsbook or casino account; be careful since you might have some trouble collecting them. The best you can do is research about secure and reliable ways to manage your gambling funds. If you make business with a decent and reliable online gambling site, they will be more than glad to help you on how to avoid problems depositing/cashing out.

We are in exciting times for funding/withdrawal methods. Some have been affected others have improved their services. Remember that online gambling is like any other business: You will find people that will make sure to satisfy all your needs while others are always in the hunt for new victims.

Before opening/funding your desired online gambling site take some time to learn about them. There are countless forums and sites where you can hear some of the greatest stories ever told by winners to the most awful ones where people have been scammed. It is up to you to have your gambling experience become a decent one; or a living nightmare.

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