US Players Playing at Non-USA Friendly Online Casinos
May 13th, 2011 at 2:41:46 PM
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It seems some US players are able to open accounts at non-USA friendly online casinos. How is this done? I know sometimes you can use Western Union, etc. With Celtic Casino, for example, it seems US players are on there betting. How can this happen without breaking any laws?
May 14th, 2011 at 3:20:46 PM
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It depends on which state the U.S. player is playing from. As far as I am aware, there is no solid Federal law against a player placing a non-sports wager over the Internet. Accepting a bet as an operator is another story because that means you've broken the UIGEA. But several states have statutes proscribing wagering of any form, online or off, with only specific exceptions. Oregon, for example, says that "unlawful gambling" is any gambling that is not specifically authorized by law.
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice."
-- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
May 14th, 2011 at 3:27:49 PM
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I think a lot of sites still let their existing American clients play, just not new players. Other sites may look the other way if a US player claims to live in Canada, Australia, or wherever. However, don't be surprised if the casino decides to launch a residence investigation only when the player has a big win, and they use that as an excuse to not pay. Same goes for underage gambling.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
