[dasquared]

So, I have never played online for real $$$. I want to now that my personal games are dwindling. However, I have no idea what current legislation allows/enables me to do, mostly in terms of collecting should (when ) I win any $$$. Can I even collect? If so, how? I have paypal already, so if it's all through them that's cool, but I don't have an interest in simply building a bankroll I can neer cash out...

[tomb1]

You can forget Paypal if you're in the US. It's no good to put money into or get money out of gambling sites.

There are different answers for different sites, and it depends how you got the money in. But in general --

• You can either transfer in money directly from your bank account, and get a check or transfer back out (with some delay but usually no fees)
• Or use a 2rd party fee-based service like Neteller, similar in function to Paypal. ePassporte can move money in or out from the poker sites, then you can get your ePassporte funds transferred back into your bank account (if it's still available for U.S.)

[JoseRijo]

Originally Posted by tomb1

Or use a 2rd party fee-based service like Neteller, similar in function to Paypal. Neteller can move money in or out from the poker sites, then you can get your Neteller funds transferred back into your bank account.

I'm not sure why you brought up Neteller, since you assumed he was in the US.

You can always transfer some of your winnings to another player, dasquared. That
player could then pay you back some other way. Like maybe with AyPalpay.

[Big Mike]

Cashing out shouldn't be much of a problem. All of the sites will send you a cheque which I hear hasn't been a problem for US residents (none of the cheques i've gotten mention any poker or gambling site)
If you can find a way to fund your account, you should have no problem cashing out.

[dasquared]

I am in the US...sounds like its limited but not impossible at this point to get $$$ in and out from here...

[STYX2109]

I have been playing online for about 3 years now (2 years in the US, and 1 year in Canada). I used to use Neteller to move my money to and from my bank account, but after I married a Canadian and moved up to the Great White North, I just use our MasterCard and have them send me a check on pay outs. Works no problem.

[luckychick]

Just to be clear, *as I understand it*, the current federal legislation does not legislate whether YOU can play, deposit, or withdraw. It does prohibit companies from funding/providing poker. Some states (like Washington, I think) have laws that are more strict. That's why all the poker sites are based outside of the US. Neteller was Canadian, and provided US customers with funding after the legislation, but then the CEO was arrested when he was in the US and they stopped serving US customers.

Withdrawing isn't a problem - like Big Mike said, often they will just cut you a cheque. Depositing is by far the limiting factor. Some cc/debit cards will allow you to make a deposit, some won't, it's a bit of a crap shoot. There's work arounds if you need them.

[Poboy]

The current legislation bans some electronic transfers of money. It has no enforcement rules, etc. so what they do is strong arm providers like Neteller and most recently Epassporte into getting out of the business. You can play, win, and withdraw. There are still ways to deposit, and most sites will have a list. I believe Pokerstars will take it right from a bank acct., so you could just open a new acct, put money in it, and transfer it to Stars. Getting money off of any site is mostly just a matter of getting a paper check mailed to you.

[tomb1]

Originally Posted by JoseRijo

I'm not sure why you brought up Neteller, since you assumed he was in the US.

You can always transfer some of your winnings to another player, dasquared. That
player could then pay you back some other way. Like maybe with AyPalpay.

Oops, my mind said ePassporte but my fingers typed Neteller. I haven't used ePassporte for quite some time so if it doesn't work any more, then sorry. FMOP.

As several have said, the easiest way to fund a new account is eCheck direct from your bank account. And requesting a check is the easiest way to cash out, though it takes time to arrive and then clear. So etransfer is best if it's available.