Any Problem With Check Payments, etc?

[The3rdMan]

Has anyone experienced a problem with casino issued checks in the past 12 months such as:

The bank asking who issued the check or questioning some other aspect of your deposit?

Has a bank rejected a check deposit because they thought it was from an online casino?

Has a payment processor been shut down causing a delay in getting your money? If so, how long of a delay?

I haven't gambled online for a few years since UIGEA. Been wanting to get back in action at Bovada and wondered if there were any issues a US player needs to be concerned about.

 

[bpb]

No issues here ... many checks received ... including Bodog/Bovada.

There was an issue with Bodog/Bovada sending handwritten checks originating from the Bahamas. These were foreign checks, not drawn on US banks having standard 9 digit routing numbers. These checks were troublesome to those who received them.

I personally have received two checks recently from Bovada with standard routing numbers. No issues with bouncing.


My advice would be the following.

Deposit checks immediately upon receipt.

Only deposit checks into accounts with large national banks that you have a standing history with. If anyone asks about a check's origin, say you have an internet-based business and it's payment related to that business. No more should be necessary.

Smaller banks are more likely to get nervous and ask questions about weird checks.

Banks where you have a newer account/no long established history are more likely to worry that you're trying to defraud them if a check bounces or the check's origin is strange.

Declare any gambling wins/itemize your losses on your tax returns and pay your taxes to avoid any unpleasantness if you get audited. The IRS won't give a crap about anything's origin as long as you've declared and paid taxes (if necessary) on it.


Just my long winded two cents ...

 

[ksb11]

No problems with checks deposited here. All the checks I have received from online sportsbooks or casinos look almost exactly the same except from a couple that were drawn on canadian banks (still U.S. $).

I have two bank accounts, one very small and local, they have never asked anything on the checks deposited drawn from U.S. banks. The other bank is very large and everybody knows the name, never had any problems depositing any checks, canadian or U.S. there. Hope this helps.

 

[samoas]

No issues here ... many checks received ... including Bodog/Bovada.

There was an issue with Bodog/Bovada sending handwritten checks originating from the Bahamas. These were foreign checks, not drawn on US banks having standard 9 digit routing numbers. These checks were troublesome to those who received them.

I personally have received two checks recently from Bovada with standard routing numbers. No issues with bouncing.


My advice would be the following.

Deposit checks immediately upon receipt.

Only deposit checks into accounts with large national banks that you have a standing history with. If anyone asks about a check's origin, say you have an internet-based business and it's payment related to that business. No more should be necessary.

Smaller banks are more likely to get nervous and ask questions about weird checks.

Banks where you have a newer account/no long established history are more likely to worry that you're trying to defraud them if a check bounces or the check's origin is strange.

Declare any gambling wins/itemize your losses on your tax returns and pay your taxes to avoid any unpleasantness if you get audited. The IRS won't give a crap about anything's origin as long as you've declared and paid taxes (if necessary) on it.


Just my long winded two cents ...

Very sound advice. Had my credit union question a check not too long ago. Just told them I was freelancing on the side. Hey, it worked!

 

[mush]

The check I received from Club World last week was actually drawn on an American bank, so there were definitely no issues with that one.

 

[The3rdMan]

Thank you for your responses and advice on how to react when a bank or credit union questions the check's origin. I was thinking checks should be deposited in the night depository rather than walking up to a teller and trying to either deposit or cash the check because there would a greater potential for more questions that way.

I was wondering if ACH / wire transfers / western untion had fewer issues than checks and if so, would it be better for a US player to look for casinos that supports these options for withdrawal?

 

[bpb]

Thank you for your responses and advice on how to react when a bank or credit union questions the check's origin. I was thinking checks should be deposited in the night depository rather than walking up to a teller and trying to either deposit or cash the check because there would a greater potential for more questions that way.

I was wondering if ACH / wire transfers / western untion had fewer issues than checks and if so, would it be better for a US player to look for casinos that supports these options for withdrawal?

Frankly, I've had more issues receiving wires/ACHs than checks. Also, keep in mind that while ACHs should be free on your end, wires will often cost you $10-$20 depending on your bank, unless you have some upper-tier account status that gives you free incoming wires. Western Union costs a fortune, but is very reliable. I don't think any casinos/sportsbooks will do Western Union without a fee.

Regarding deposits ... I wouldn't sweat depositing via teller for any check with a 9-digit routing number drawn on a US or Canadian bank. They shouldn't ask questions for that type of check. I would never cash any online gambling related check ... I would only deposit it into an account at a bank that I have a history with, and I would leave sufficient funds to cover a possible bounce for at least a couple weeks into the future. Just because the bank "clears" the funds the next day doesn't necessarily mean that the check can't bounce after that.

 

[Diane]

Never a problem on my end for any form of payment received;

check
wire
ACH
paymycard

All of these were accepted without question by banks and credit unions I use.

Diane

 

[ksb11]

One time I had a teller ask me how I pronounced my last name as I was depositing a Casino issued check, but I think she was just flirting as I looked sooooo handsome that day. I told her I would take her out if she didn't tell anybody I deposited a lot of online gambling checks
JK

 

[butterflyboogie]

paymycard

Is there an actual website for pay my card?

 

[Jennifer]

I live in canada and I had a check from a casino and the bank (scotiabank) wouldnt cash it and said it was fraudulant. I didnt believe it because the casino was reputable. But the check they sent me was German or something. I called them and explained what happened. They asked me to send it back. So I did and they did a bankwire and paid the fee's for me.

Ive had a US friends actually have their bank accounts closed because they knew funds were being sent and withdrawn to gambling sites. This is most likely uncommon because you would hear of it more frequently. Just bad timing on his part I guess. Im sure you would be fine.

 

[ksech]

Ive had a US friends actually have their bank accounts closed because they knew funds were being sent and withdrawn to gambling sites. This is most likely uncommon because you would hear of it more frequently. Just bad timing on his part I guess. Im sure you would be fine.

It does happen, I'm sure not everyone airs their bank accounts have been closed for such reasons though. I had my bank account closed ( through a MAJOR banking institution who I'd had an account with for over 30 years) due to questionable international wire transfers a few years ago.I wasn't a bigtime depositor either, but the bank decided it didn't like my several times a week small deposits and the 2 or 3 small wins every 4 or 5 months I was getting. It just got to the point I got tired of trying to figure out how to fund accounts after the NeTeller and QT problems, I decided to quit online gaming. It just isn't worth the hassle and worry.

Until some type of legalization is brought into play, I'll just go to my local B&M when I need my gambling "fix". If I win, I don't have to wait days, weeks or months for my money. I don't have to chase down reps or send emails, or go on live chat daily. A lot less stressful, and I do get a lot of comps for the few times I visit ( $5 all-you-can-eat buffet, $25 free play fully cashable after a 2X playthrough, free drinks, 25% off concert tickets) and it's only 25 minutes from my home. I don't get that from any online casino...

 

[Diane]

It does happen, I'm sure not everyone airs their bank accounts have been closed for such reasons though. I had my bank account closed ( through a MAJOR banking institution who I'd had an account with for over 30 years) due to questionable international wire transfers a few years ago.I wasn't a bigtime depositor either, but the bank decided it didn't like my several times a week small deposits and the 2 or 3 small wins every 4 or 5 months I was getting. It just got to the point I got tired of trying to figure out how to fund accounts after the NeTeller and QT problems, I decided to quit online gaming. It just isn't worth the hassle and worry.

Until some type of legalization is brought into play, I'll just go to my local B&M when I need my gambling "fix". If I win, I don't have to wait days, weeks or months for my money. I don't have to chase down reps or send emails, or go on live chat daily. A lot less stressful, and I do get a lot of comps for the few times I visit ( $5 all-you-can-eat buffet, $25 free play fully cashable after a 2X playthrough, free drinks, 25% off concert tickets) and it's only 25 minutes from my home. I don't get that from any online casino...

Yes...................but there are the tradeoffs. I just came home from a 4 day trip to Tunica.
Heavy cigarette smoke, machines that didn't work, ticket redemption machines that were balky and long lines for cashing out tickets, dirty glasses and ashtrays all over. Favorite machines "full" couldn't play games I wanted, bad VP paytables, people gawking and commenting on wins/losses etc. etc.

But you are correct, the comps are nice (free airplane charter, free hotel rooms, and free food) and you do get paid instantly. But after 3 days, I was ready to go back to online play in my pajamas.....
Heck, I have already sat in hotel rooms at all kinds of gaming destinations and played online because I wanted a break from the constant PEOPLE and live casino action.

Diane

 

[max1mike]

Yes...................but there are the tradeoffs. Heavy cigarette smoke, /QUOTE]

FREE SMOKE??? i'M IN!!!!

 

[huny2]

Yes...................but there are the tradeoffs. I just came home from a 4 day trip to Tunica.
Heavy cigarette smoke, machines that didn't work, ticket redemption machines that were balky and long lines for cashing out tickets, dirty glasses and ashtrays all over. Favorite machines "full" couldn't play games I wanted, bad VP paytables, people gawking and commenting on wins/losses etc. etc.

But you are correct, the comps are nice (free airplane charter, free hotel rooms, and free food) and you do get paid instantly. But after 3 days, I was ready to go back to online play in my pajamas.....
Heck, I have already sat in hotel rooms at all kinds of gaming destinations and played online because I wanted a break from the constant PEOPLE and live casino action.

Diane

I'm heading to Tunica this weekend but I agree...you cannot beat playing in your jammies!

 

[ksech]

Come to NY Diane, you can't smoke inside ANY building here! I think Turning Stone has a smoking room for the Bingo players, but I don't think you can smoke on the casino floor. You can't smoke in the racinos. But this is offtopic, the topic was problems with check payments ...

Point being, if I go to my local B&M I don't have to worry the check isn't going to be any good. And shortly after I had opened my new account I had received notice from the bank they wouldn't allow any type of international bank wires unless I went down and signed a waiver stating what the wires were for. I'm sure it's different if this had been a business account, but since it was a personal account, it justwasn't worth the hassle.

 

[PackerBacker]

I had a nice win at one of my favorite online casinos last weekend. They had a weekly limit ($3000) for a check withdrawal, which I initiated. But, knowing my lack of self control , I also decided to withdraw using Western Union. The fees are VERY high, but weighed against my (lack of) self-control, I decided it was worth it. The withdrawal was processed on Monday, the WU was confirmed yesterday, and early this morning I received the email from the casino with the information that needed to be completed on the WU "receive $" form. I went to my local grocery store's business center, filled out the form, showed my ID, and walked out with the cash. Not a bad deal. And turns out it was smart, because I went on to lose the remaining balance in my casino account (please don't direct me to a 1-800 gamblers hotline, I'm not addicted, just overly optimistic! ).

Anyway, I wanted to let everyone know that this withdrawal method is available for US players, and I had no problems. I won't use it as a first choice, due to fees, but I will use it again, instead of letting the money sit in my account for another week.

 

[footdr]

I have accounts at two banks, they never question my wires and unless it was sent by a "flagged" bank account, there is no way they know why you are recieving the funds or what those funds respresent because wires are not coded as credit card charges are. Most banks don't even question it because they want money in their customers accounts. If they phone regarding debit charges submitted from overseas companies, again, many companies are international and their bank and therefore, their processor is often located in another country, eventhough you live in the U.S. and purchased the goods from what appears to be a u.s. based merchant( see what I am saying).

 

[Jokeman55]

Withdrawals

At what point should you declare winnings??? Is there a certain amount you can win and not have to claim??

 

[fanihi]

Western Union reliable yes BUT OUCH!!

Frankly, I've had more issues receiving wires/ACHs than checks. Also, keep in mind that while ACHs should be free on your end, wires will often cost you $10-$20 depending on your bank, unless you have some upper-tier account status that gives you free incoming wires. Western Union costs a fortune, but is very reliable. I don't think any casinos/sportsbooks will do Western Union without a fee.

Regarding deposits ... I wouldn't sweat depositing via teller for any check with a 9-digit routing number drawn on a US or Canadian bank. They shouldn't ask questions for that type of check. I would never cash any online gambling related check ... I would only deposit it into an account at a bank that I have a history with, and I would leave sufficient funds to cover a possible bounce for at least a couple weeks into the future. Just because the bank "clears" the funds the next day doesn't necessarily mean that the check can't bounce after that.

I think most charge standard minimum $65 and up depending on amount. And not that quick, still waiting
for a request made on 4/03.

 

[SlotsLover]

checks

I've had a handful of checks bounce, but the casinos in question always made them good relatively quickly. I think more of a processor's issue than the casino's, but I may be a bit naive.

 

[ksb11]

I've had a handful of checks bounce, but the casinos in question always made them good relatively quickly. I think more of a processor's issue than the casino's, but I may be a bit naive.

Were the checks that bounced on you from casinos that are accredited here at Casinomeister? Just curious and thx.

 

[blonde]

Ok maybe I am hit with the paranoid stick here, but something sounds a little fishy to me with all of the questions.

 

[SlotsLover]

most weren't

Were the checks that bounced on you from casinos that are accredited here at Casinomeister? Just curious and thx.

But there was one accredited casino (i'd rather not mention the name so as not to embarrass them) that bounced a rather smallish check ($300) but they made it good within a week and gave me casinos credits for the $12 fee I incurred with my bank