Help!! WARNING to US players!!

[KatPM]

One of the casino's I recently started playing at wired me a couple of my wins to my bank account. Last week I got a copy of the wire mailed to me from my bank- on the wire it says that the payment is FROM INTERNET GAMING... I couldn't believe it!!!

I got a call from my banks corporate office yesterday and they have me under investigation now. They questioned me about all my transactions; wire transfers, purchases, check deposits, etc. I'm totally mortified about this. They wont let me deposit any checks. They are probably going to close my account- I have banked with them over 22 years- since I was 18!

Has this happened to anyone else before? Am I going to get in trouble with the police??? Also I have a $20,000 win I need to withdraw from that casino and I don't know how I can get my money... how can I cash the checks if they send them to me ($2500/week is their limit!)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

xoxo
Kat

 

[ksb11]

One of the casino's I recently started playing at wired me a couple of my wins to my bank account. Last week I got a copy of the wire mailed to me from my bank- on the wire it says that the payment is FROM INTERNET GAMING... I couldn't believe it!!!

I got a call from my banks corporate office yesterday and they have me under investigation now. They questioned me about all my transactions; wire transfers, purchases, check deposits, etc. I'm totally mortified about this. They wont let me deposit any checks. They are probably going to close my account- I have banked with them over 22 years- since I was 18!

Has this happened to anyone else before? Am I going to get in trouble with the police??? Also I have a $20,000 win I need to withdraw from that casino and I don't know how I can get my money... how can I cash the checks if they send them to me ($2500/week is their limit!)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

xoxo
Kat

Sorry this has happened. 2 questions that might not seem to matter, but, is your bank a small community bank or a big national chain? Also, was the casino that had the wire sent accredited here at Casinomeister?

 

[Diane]

One of the casino's I recently started playing at wired me a couple of my wins to my bank account. Last week I got a copy of the wire mailed to me from my bank- on the wire it says that the payment is FROM INTERNET GAMING... I couldn't believe it!!!

I got a call from my banks corporate office yesterday and they have me under investigation now. They questioned me about all my transactions; wire transfers, purchases, check deposits, etc. I'm totally mortified about this. They wont let me deposit any checks. They are probably going to close my account- I have banked with them over 22 years- since I was 18!

Has this happened to anyone else before? Am I going to get in trouble with the police??? Also I have a $20,000 win I need to withdraw from that casino and I don't know how I can get my money... how can I cash the checks if they send them to me ($2500/week is their limit!)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

xoxo
Kat

I am not an attorney - however, I believe that unless internet gambling is specifically illegal in CA (such as is the case for those in the state of WA) there is no wrong doing on your part. So you don't have to fear the police -- but it is darn inconvenient with the bank.

The problem is that the banks and financial institutions cannot legally process internet gambling transactions. That's why your bank is refusing, by law, they cannot knowing conduct the transaction.
It's the unfortunate wording on the wire that raised the issue and now you are "stuck".

The checks from casinos usually come from non-descript sounding business names "ABC Services" etc. You can probably endorse the check to a willing friend or family member to deposit into their account in exchange for the cash back to you. Or perhaps one of the local check cashing places, but there is a big fee, I believe. Never done it myself.

This is why I always recommend having a separate bank account just for online gaming. Do NOT co-mingle it with your family checking account. Try opening a new account at another bank or credit union, quickly before you get flagged into the banking system as a problem.....

I kept this generic. Good luck.

Diane

 

[KatPM]

Sorry this has happened. 2 questions that might not seem to matter, but, is your bank a small community bank or a big national chain? Also, was the casino that had the wire sent accredited here at Casinomeister? Could one of the admins move this to ATB section please?

it was a big national chain bank. Yes it is one of the accredited casinos here on CM. I contacted the casino to let them know and they said 'sorry, that's why we prefer paying by check'.

 

[harrys99]

As stated above-sorry to hear about this. Doesn't seem like a police matter but maybe a possibility of the IRS wanting to get a piece of your winnings? Maybe it wouldn't hurt to consult an attorney as they usually don't charge for initial meetings and your discussion would be confidential.

I hope you get things straightened out and are able to get your winnings!

 

[silcnlayc]

It would be nice to know which bank it is so others do not use that one.

.

 

[Surasanji]

It would be nice to know which bank it is so others do not use that one.

.

It doesn't matter which bank it is, if the transaction says INTERNET GAMBLING, or Casino on it- its going to get flagged.

The results would likely be the same.

 

[Mousey]

I just popped in here while uninstalling the one or two casinos I had installed (again) during the holidays.

I'm so sorry for your troubles with the bank. They will most likely close your account. From the way you talk it is your primary household account. That is bad news and may tie your money up for awhile.

Reminder to others (as Diane has already stated): Please do not use a primary household account for gambling.

Ah... now to uninstall INetBet and that's it. I'm done (again) until things get better for us. It just isn't worth the hassle.

 

[ksb11]

It doesn't matter which bank it is, if the transaction says INTERNET GAMBLING, or Casino on it- its going to get flagged.

The results would likely be the same.

Your right about that, Sursanji! An accredited casino using a processor that identifies their transactions with that kinda description! And then supposedly saying -" Sorry, that's why we prefer checks" If this is really the way it went down that shows no respect for the player.

 

[butterflyboogie]

I will ask my neice, she is a bank officer here in the US on how they handle it. Why don't you ask the casino if they would consider a western union transfer if you paid the fees each week. I know that is less money for you however it may be lesser hassle in the long run. You would want to make sure that wouldn't raise a red flag with the higher authorities. Geesh...what we go through to gamble. Come on USA..legalize it already...please!!!

 

[ksech]

i had an account with a major bank closed over a year ago. i received a letter in the mail a few weeks ago from this bank about some investigation for international wire transfers, yadda yadda yadda. spoke with my lawyer, and he told me to play it cool for now, there wasn't really much they could for now they were just fishing. (sorry for the typing am having some issues right now)

 

[KatPM]

I wanted to thank you all for your responses & support. I am soooo freaked out about this!!

xoxo
Kath

 

[miket2112]

Can you please name the casino either here or PM me with it. I just requested a wire transfer from Inet. My first ever. Hope its not them.

 

[ksb11]

Can you please name the casino either here or PM me with it. I just requested a wire transfer from Inet. My first ever. Hope its not them.

I think everybody needs to know the name of the casino- That's a low down thing they did

 

[weplant]

So sorry for your trouble..It gets so nerve wrecking trying to gamble online in the USA..I agree though, the casino did not handle it very well, and I would also like to know who they are, so we can all be careful..Hang in there, it will work out.

 

[silcnlayc]

I play the horses online. I place bets on Australia, Englend etc...Now, how in the world is this legal when this is INTERNET GAMBLING???? It is legal ...which is almost a a laugh...Sorry for your troubles.


.

 

[anniemac]

You can gamble on the horse online legally in the US. When they passed the UIGEA they made sure that horse racing was specifically addressed as legal. Did want to piss off the big boys in the horseracing industry.

 

[jetset]

And therein lies one of the problems for the US banking system - without precisely defining internet banking, and by making exceptions for horseracing, fantasy sports and state lotteries, the politicians created a serious problem for the bankers as well as the players, (not to mention operators and processors). And they were told this all the way through the legislative process by the bankers and other experts.

It's really sad to see Americans subjected to this sort of stress and hassle - being treated almost like criminals for participating in a pastime with their own disposable income and mostly in the privacy of their own homes - by their own government when all over the world nations are taking a more sensible approach by regulating and licensing.

That said, the outfit that put the OP in this position - casino or processor - deserves a serious kick in the ass.

 

[P.V.]

I wanted to thank you all for your responses & support. I am soooo freaked out about this!!

xoxo
Kath

If the wired money is in your account and available I'd go Monday and close the account to desist their investigation.

Once the account is closed and money removed they no longer can engage you with this issue, or questioning as you're not their customer anymore.

Twenty two years is a long time but not worth the hassle or worry.

 

[silcnlayc]

C,mon fellow members. Why are you keeping the casino-bank a secret? If one shares the names of each, it would go a long way for many of us in the USA to be able to avoid such an issue. I really believe you are doing many of us a disservice by not naming which casinos and banks have had issues with this.

.

 

[weplant]

C,mon fellow members. Why are you keeping the casino-bank a secret? If one shares the names of each, it would go a long way for many of us in the USA to be able to avoid such an issue. I really believe you are doing many of us a disservice by not naming which casinos and banks have had issues with this.

.

I agree..We are here to help each other...Let us know the casino and bank...

 

[Diane]

I agree..We are here to help each other...Let us know the casino and bank...

Send a PM and perhaps it will be answered. We can all understand reticence in these matters in the open forum.

Diane

 

[nisosbar]

Send a PM and perhaps it will be answered. We can all understand reticence in these matters in the open forum.

Diane

Yes. Time and time again, we see sensitive information posted right up here in the forums, and then, whammo, there goes another deposit option, and 'who could have predicted that?'

 

[Surasanji]

C,mon fellow members. Why are you keeping the casino-bank a secret? If one shares the names of each, it would go a long way for many of us in the USA to be able to avoid such an issue. I really believe you are doing many of us a disservice by not naming which casinos and banks have had issues with this.

.

Once more, it doesn't matter the bank US players. ALL the banks will do this if the transaction mentions Internet gambling or online casinos.

Banks will get fined if they transact your gambling winnings. And since Banks are for profit, for the most part, they'd rather just kick you to the curb than deal with that.

The casino name would be helpful, yes- if only for people to know to ask only for checks from that particular casino!

So- to answer at least one question- your bank will more than likely do this to you if they find out you are gambling online.

I certainly hope that any American facing casino wouldn't just throw their players under the proverbial bus like this, though. Its a pretty hard slap to the face. Also, very lame.

 

[ksb11]

I certainly hope that any American facing casino wouldn't just throw their players under the proverbial bus like this, though. Its a pretty hard slap to the face. Also, very lame.

Yea, it sounds as like this is what one American facing casino has just done, the player still having $20,000 plus still sitting in that very casino.

 

[Diane]

Yea, it sounds as like this is what one American facing casino has just done, the player still having $20,000 plus still sitting in that very casino.

I assume OP will simply go the courier check route with the casino for the max each week until full payment is made. But will need to find an alternative bank or check cashing method.

Diane

 

[ksb11]

I assume OP will simply go the courier check route with the casino for the max each week until full payment is made. But will need to find an alternative bank or check cashing method.

Diane

Yea, it could potentially make it harder for the OP to find another bank account- maybe. I would have to assume there wouldn't be a blacklist with the OP's name on it this soon.

 

[Surasanji]

Yea, it sounds as like this is what one American facing casino has just done, the player still having $20,000 plus still sitting in that very casino.

No kidding!

I know I'd like to know the casino. I find it hard to believe the finance department of the casino didn't know this would happen.

 

[anniemac]

I don't think it will hurt the OP in finding another bank. Unless you have gotten on the bad-banking sites, you don't draw any attention and even then you can still open bank accounts at some banks.

My suggestion is to close account now and open another one immediately, preferably at a credit union. They don't seem to be as nosy as a bank. The last check from casino I deposited, I asked them how long the hold was. She asked me if I knew the people and if I thought the check would cash. Told her all was good and they didn't even put a hold on it. Funds available immediately. Of course, if it a small credit union where you know everyone. I don't know about wires though.

Unless the casino is really dodgy, they aren't going to send a check with their name on it, so depositing a check is pretty safe. Just make sure that your personal funds aren't tied up in the account you are using for gambling. I deposited the one check into my regular CU account but I won't do that again either. Will use my 'special' account. LOL!

 

[lettingyouknow]

If there is a pending investigation

I use to work in Mortgage banking for a Big bank, and if there is an investigation as I believe there is, by the letter the OP received. They would FREEZE that account and all funds tied to it to do an internal investigation to any and all checks, wires etc in and out of the account. Therefore the OP would not be able to do anything until the investigation is done. If that has not happened yet I would go into the bank and close the account and get the funds if at all possible.

 

[footdr]

One of the casino's I recently started playing at wired me a couple of my wins to my bank account. Last week I got a copy of the wire mailed to me from my bank- on the wire it says that the payment is FROM INTERNET GAMING... I couldn't believe it!!!

I got a call from my banks corporate office yesterday and they have me under investigation now. They questioned me about all my transactions; wire transfers, purchases, check deposits, etc. I'm totally mortified about this. They wont let me deposit any checks. They are probably going to close my account- I have banked with them over 22 years- since I was 18!

Has this happened to anyone else before? Am I going to get in trouble with the police??? Also I have a $20,000 win I need to withdraw from that casino and I don't know how I can get my money... how can I cash the checks if they send them to me ($2500/week is their limit!)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

xoxo
Kat

Can you pm me regardin what you replied when they questioned you. Hopefully you said that it was a refund of an online purchase and you don't know why it was designated this way. I can help you more but would rather do it in a pm.

 

[footdr]

This is why I started the thread "heads up on using any credit card to deposit".

Also, I received emails from bankers online announcing new online seminars regarding this.

I would be mortified as there the Country is becoming more and more a police state and if they want to, they can do anything. Who has the money to fight the U.S. Government? Doubt any of us do.

follow this link

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[cheetahwind]

The problem the OP is going to run into. If the bank does find out she has been using her account quite a bit for online gaming. They might report her to Early Warning or Chexsystems for account fraud. Mainly because the OP was doing something that wasn't legal in the US. Which in turn could create a whole series of complications in opening a bank account.
My best advice is go and find a new bank account now before this report possibly happens if it already hasn't. If it does, I would be writing a bank to the banks Vice President contesting the fraud or whatever entry they blacklist you for. Mainly because this could hurt you from 5 years up to 7.
If you do find out your on that blacklist. Please PM me and I'm part of an online group that helps people find banking alternatives from these black listing places.

 

[nepatsfan01]

C,mon fellow members. Why are you keeping the casino-bank a secret? If one shares the names of each, it would go a long way for many of us in the USA to be able to avoid such an issue. I really believe you are doing many of us a disservice by not naming which casinos and banks have had issues with this.

.

Anyone find out the name of the casino yet or want to share it here or via PM? There are so few accredited casinos that take US players so chances are I'm playing at it, as many of you are I'm sure, and I think we all have a right to know what casino it is so we can make the correct withdrawal arrangements.

 

[footdr]

The problem the OP is going to run into. If the bank does find out she has been using her account quite a bit for online gaming. They might report her to Early Warning or Chexsystems for account fraud. Mainly because the OP was doing something that wasn't legal in the US. Which in turn could create a whole series of complications in opening a bank account.
My best advice is go and find a new bank account now before this report possibly happens if it already hasn't. If it does, I would be writing a bank to the banks Vice President contesting the fraud or whatever entry they blacklist you for. Mainly because this could hurt you from 5 years up to 7.
If you do find out your on that blacklist. Please PM me and I'm part of an online group that helps people find banking alternatives from these black listing places.

There is no proof what so ever as merchants use many processors and many u.s. online merchants use international banks to process their transactions, this is per my bank fraud department.

 

[chuchu59]

C,mon fellow members. Why are you keeping the casino-bank a secret? If one shares the names of each, it would go a long way for many of us in the USA to be able to avoid such an issue. I really believe you are doing many of us a disservice by not naming which casinos and banks have had issues with this.

.

I thought the casinos would sort of disguise the transactions in such a way that they wouldnt be identified for gaming purposes. Apparently I am wrong so maybe the OP can name the casino and get some answers thru the rep. As for the bank, it makes no difference I guess as each would do the same so even if named it wouldnt make a difference.

 

[footdr]

I thought the casinos would sort of disguise the transactions in such a way that they wouldnt be identified for gaming purposes. Apparently I am wrong so maybe the OP can name the casino and get some answers thru the rep. As for the bank, it makes no difference I guess as each would do the same so even if named it wouldnt make a difference.

yes, normally it is not put through as a gaming transaction unless the casino states so. I recall a couple of casinos in the past stated what the charge would show as on your statement.But, that isn't the issue here as it is the identification that was provided(and required by the banking system) regarding the payer of the wire and I highly doubt the name included the word gambling. there are many reasons it could have been red-flagged and I have posted several links that might explain what those reasons are. One needs to anticipate the possibility of getting a "phone call" and be ready, if you get my drift, to answer any inquiries.

Without more information it is hard to determine what happened in this instance. I did pm the op and will wait for a response. knowing the name of the Bank can provide a "heads-up" to others banking with them.

 

[labeled]

I thought the casinos would sort of disguise the transactions in such a way that they wouldnt be identified for gaming purposes. Apparently I am wrong so maybe the OP can name the casino and get some answers thru the rep. As for the bank, it makes no difference I guess as each would do the same so even if named it wouldnt make a difference.

I agree completely with your entire statement. I'm also extremely bothered by the fact that casinos that take US players go out of their way to disguise the transaction (my most recent was from a "photography service", if I recall correctly) when they're taking our money, but now someone is saying "sorry, your SOL" when it comes to paying out.

The only casino I can think of that has a "sorry, we don't lie about our transactions" policy is 3Dice, but that's why they offer okpay as a funding source, correct? Do they also offer wires as a withdrawal method?

 

[Gret]

Something just doesn't seem quite right about this whole matter.

I've sent many wires and never had to indicate what the wire is for. You give the bank your name, account information and the receiver's name and account information.

While the original post isn't clear, I simply can't believe that any online casino would send a wire saying it was from XYZ online casino and that the funds are from gambling winnings. Doing so would ruin their business and expose them to considerable risk if any officer of the casino decide to visit the US.

If authorities are investigating the matter, why would the player post the problem here and admit that they are gambling and using US financial institutions to perform an illegal act under the banking rules?

If my doubts is misplace...sorry.

 

[silcnlayc]

I thought the casinos would sort of disguise the transactions in such a way that they wouldnt be identified for gaming purposes. Apparently I am wrong so maybe the OP can name the casino and get some answers thru the rep. As for the bank, it makes no difference I guess as each would do the same so even if named it wouldnt make a difference.

I have to disagree here. If I want to open a new account to separate my funds from other funds...I do not want to be walking into a mess that has already been created (put on notice sort of thing by the bank looking for these transactions vs those banks that are not really interested per se). I believe knowing which banks have been alerted and are on the lookout would be most helpful, to stay away from.

.

 

[rockycatt]

Also I have a $20,000 win I need to withdraw from that casino and I don't know how I can get my money... how can I cash the checks if they send them to me ($2500/week is their limit!)

Above is a quote from the O P ?? does the large some of $$$ figure into this at all

 

[LaHutti]

I can't help but see red flags all over the place here.
As others have hinted, but not said directly....COULD it be, that this ... unnamed casino did this, to get out of paying 20K ?
I would really love to get the name of this place.

 

[cpdnd31]

I was wondering the same thing. I would hate to think an accredited casino would purposely flag a a wire transfer as gaming to get out of sending the rest by wire. I think he said now he has to do checks. So maybe that was their intention? I don't know but the whole situation is so odd. PLEASE do USA a favor and name casino and bank. We are all in this together and if we had early warning on our Ewallets no one would have lost a dime. I look at this as a possible situation brewing for the USA players and we need to know just in case some of us have money in said casino and or bank. The last thing I want is to transfer money just to have a phone call the next day. You have the chance to save a lot of people stress by naming casino and bank.

 

[anniemac]

I don't believe I have ever had a wire that came in, prior to UIGEA or after, that had anything on it about 'Internet Gaming' or even a name. Just a telephone number and some other numbers.

Maybe OP doesn't want to name the casino for fear of pissing them off and never getting his money. It has happened before.

 

[Deanna]

This thread may scare me out of the game permanently!

 

[vinylweatherman]

The OP should hold off for now because of the outstanding $20K. It is clear that a wire is no longer an option, but opening another account at a different bank, and different TYPE of bank, should be done right away, and the first priority should be to get a "clean" account for purely non-gambing activities, and redirecting salary, etc into it. This will limit the problems caused by the original bank freezing the account pending an investigation. The next step would be to find out whether the funds have been frozen, and if not, get those funds out that are NOT from the disputed wire, which the bank are NOT querying (yet). This would leave the bank holding the wire they want to investigate, and them unable to accuse the OP of trying to "beat the system" by getting the funds out after having been told they are "illegal".

Next, open a THIRD account, and at a bank or credit union unrelated to either the old bank or the new. This account should then be funded from the second "clean" account, and used actively for everyday transactions. It is this third account that can eventually start receiving checks for the $20K outstanding, but not too quickly, nor in a manner that sets a pattern (such as $2500 every week). This will mean trusting the casino with the $20K for some time. As each check goes in, it should go out on everyday spending, plus some capital items.

We also need to find EXACTLY what went on, and whether this really is a sign that all US players should quit and get their money out ASAP.

It seems odd that a wire would literally have "online gambling" indicated on it, but so far we only have the bank's word on this, and it is possible that this is NOT what the wire itself indicates, but that the processor sending the wire has just been "busted", and banks now know what these wires are.

 

[heatherad]

KatPM, can you give us an update as to what has been going on since? Thanks

 

[footdr]

there is no possible way I would even attempt to deposit a check for $20,000. Red flags everywhere. Shouldn't deposit a check for over 4,000.00 as the bank is required to report deposits over $5000.00 and most banks will hold the check for payment when it is over $5000.00. Also, if you have two checks say 1 for $2000.00 and 1 for $3000.00. Don't deposit them on the same day at the same time as it is still considered a deposit of $5000.00, again triggering due diligence, reporting, and the like.

IMO

I would ask the casino to split my payments into checks in varying amounts that equal $20k a week and then deposit them seperately into several bank accounts.

but what do I know?

 

[reda]

this thread is a nightmare. its scary to think that you finally get lucky enough to win and then the bank freezes your funds and the money you finally won is not yours yet.. i would like to know the name of the casino . i cant afford to have a transaction like that hit my bank. i have 3 seperate accounts with my bank but i wonder if one was flagged they might close all 3 of my accounts? please keep us informed.

 

[rockycatt]

all gaming bank accounts should be separated from and by a separate b&M /+ BRAND BANK from any household accounts especially direct deposit ones