Running a poker/dice site with bitcoin gambling in the USA?

chennan

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Quote from: SPECJEDI on August 30, 2015, 10:55:20 AM

Hey guys I've been thinking about running a poker site or a dice site with real bitcoin gambling. I've spoken to lawyers here in the USA and they say it's illegal and i could get in a lot of trouble. I would just like to hear from the community if it really is a problem and will the law eventually come after you. Has anybody ran or running a bitcoin gambling site in the USA?

I'm not quite sure of this, because I have never thought of running such a site myself... but if you were to run your campaign for the site using tor, while also hosting the site through a VPS in another company that's outside of the US; wouldn't that adequately hid you from the government and thus not taking you from your house with handcuffs on? I think this would work, but I wouldn't know and really wouldn't care since I don't plan on running such a site. I don't like the Feds and never would want to put myself in a position to meet them at any point in time lol.

unholycactus

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Quote from: jordanovmkd on October 01, 2015, 12:32:37 PM

Surely it would be great if it is legal, i like the idea of gambling with bitcoin money there are a lots of gambling sites that are working perfect so far, maybe you should wait and if you have luck and the law change the rules you can start that idea. all the luck !! Cheesy

Unfortunately, lobbies are very influential in the US and there's a gambling one (casino, resorts, etc.). It's always hard to say for the very long term (US somehow legalized gay marriage and cannabis in some states), but don't expect any changes short-mid term (the next 10 years).

jordanovmkd

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Surely it would be great if it is legal, i like the idea of gambling with bitcoin money there are a lots of gambling sites that are working perfect so far, maybe you should wait and if you have luck and the law change the rules you can start that idea. all the luck !! Cheesy

kalooki

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Quote from: SPECJEDI on August 30, 2015, 03:44:03 PM

Thanks for the info. I wonder if it would be possible to to run a legit poker site with proper licenses in London but still live in the USA, I have family in London.

This shouldn't normally be a problem to own a casino business from the US while it operates in London. However if you are "running" it from the USA you are effectively taking bets over the internet which is illegal in all but 3 states. The US authorities don't have a problem with gambling, just a problem with offering gambling services FROM the US or TO the US.

sambridger

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It's the same rules as running a gambling site with dollars you require all licenses they are making a big clamp down on illegal gambling sites within crypto

coinableS

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I don't think it's worth it. If you are living free in the united states and have no convictions, why ruin your life just to try and make a few bucks with an online bitcoin casino? I've thought about putting one up as well since I'm a web developer but the risks out-weigh the rewards. So I made a faucet with a dice game built-in instead so it's not technically gambling since users can't deposit LOL Cheesy

I like my life and freedom, and don't want to end up being made an example of like Ross and others.

vennali

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#SWGT CERTIK Audited

Quote from: jeffthebaker on September 03, 2015, 08:16:14 PM

Quote from: vennali on September 03, 2015, 08:13:37 PM

YEah the Micon case is the one which comes to mind. Actually you wouldn't face much problems if you stay annymous and not publically reveal yourself like Micon did. You will also have to make sure they don't end up tracking you.

That would be difficult if/when the site got big enough to where it became a problem that law enforcement would look to correct. Even if Micon didn't reveal his identity. I would imagine that a similar outcome would have taken place.

Realistically, the only viable strategy running a poker site in US is to do so with proper licensing.

Not really, at the most I believe they will take down the site offline, in which case you can look for some offshore servers. There are sites big enough , which still accept US customers, and some don't just to avoid the legal issues. But if you take precaution, I believe it is not a problem. SWC still operates without an issue as of now.

jeffthebaker

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Quote from: vennali on September 03, 2015, 08:13:37 PM

YEah the Micon case is the one which comes to mind. Actually you wouldn't face much problems if you stay annymous and not publically reveal yourself like Micon did. You will also have to make sure they don't end up tracking you.

That would be difficult if/when the site got big enough to where it became a problem that law enforcement would look to correct. Even if Micon didn't reveal his identity. I would imagine that a similar outcome would have taken place.

Realistically, the only viable strategy running a poker site in US is to do so with proper licensing.

vennali

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#SWGT CERTIK Audited

YEah the Micon case is the one which comes to mind. Actually you wouldn't face much problems if you stay annymous and not publically reveal yourself like Micon did. You will also have to make sure they don't end up tracking you.

unholycactus

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Quote from: SPECJEDI on September 02, 2015, 11:57:52 AM

Thanks to everyone who replied. Hosting a bitcoin poker site has been a dream for me and something i would really like to get started on but i feel its to risky. The last thing I would want is the FBI raiding my house for a harmless game site. I will have a chat with my lawyers about this and see if the Idea of running a legit site with licensees in London be a better option. It's more easier to get a license in London than it is in the USA. You can say in the USA its impossible unless you have high end political connections in Las Vegas or New Jersey. Anyways feel free to comment on this post as I would like to hear more Ideas in this topic. Thanks Guys!!

Just remember, absolutely not in the US. http://www.pokernews.com/news/2015/02/seals-with-clubs-chairman-bryan-micon-police-raid-20740.htm since you were asking about people who ran gambling sites from the US.

Some states are incredibly strict with their online gambling laws (Nevada, Washington). Some aren't but the US is literally the worst place in the world for what you're trying to do (perharps after North Korea, but I'm not even sure).

SPECJEDI

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Thanks to everyone who replied. Hosting a bitcoin poker site has been a dream for me and something i would really like to get started on but i feel its to risky. The last thing I would want is the FBI raiding my house for a harmless game site. I will have a chat with my lawyers about this and see if the Idea of running a legit site with licensees in London be a better option. It's more easier to get a license in London than it is in the USA. You can say in the USA its impossible unless you have high end political connections in Las Vegas or New Jersey. Anyways feel free to comment on this post as I would like to hear more Ideas in this topic. Thanks Guys!!

ashour

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I would suggest you take the legal path and apply for an online gambling license. If you are dealing with a high volume you will attract attention from SEC and the IRS and they will probably find you and jail you for the operation of an illegal gambling platform.

WhatTheGox

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Quote from: SPECJEDI on August 30, 2015, 10:55:20 AM

Hey guys I've been thinking about running a poker site or a dice site with real bitcoin gambling. I've spoken to lawyers here in the USA and they say it's illegal and i could get in a lot of trouble. I would just like to hear from the community if it really is a problem and will the law eventually come after you. Has anybody ran or running a bitcoin gambling site in the USA?

Primedice the biggest bitcoin dice site recently pulled out the USA so that should give you another idea that its a bit dodgy to offer services out there. The players will still use VPN to access your service but thats not your fault.

SPECJEDI

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Quote from: seedtrue on August 30, 2015, 10:58:11 AM

Here is a good article about Micon from Seals with Clubs Bitcoin Poker getting arrested. Maybe it will help your understanding of the legal standing of United States Bitcoin gambling. The government does not like to let anything get by them if they do not get a cut.

http[Suspicious link removed]c-i-was-led-out-in-handcuffs-in-my-underwear/

Thanks for the info. I wonder if it would be possible to to run a legit poker site with proper licenses in London but still live in the USA, I have family in London. I would need to prevent USA users from accessing it maybe ban ip address coming from the usa. I would need to talk more about this to my lawyers. What do you guys think of that idea of hosting the poker site outside the USA and do whatever possible to prevent the Users from the USA accessing the site?
It just scary because i live in the USA they may still come after me because im living int USA and running poker site international.

bankingbtc

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well if even lawyers say that its illegal i wouldnt take risks as it might even dont give you profit and as far as i know there were some trouble with btc in usa

seedtrue

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Here is a good article about Micon from Seals with Clubs Bitcoin Poker getting arrested. Maybe it will help your understanding of the legal standing of United States Bitcoin gambling. The government does not like to let anything get by them if they do not get a cut.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/03/bitcoin-poker-exec-i-was-led-out-in-handcuffs-in-my-underwear/

SPECJEDI

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Hey guys I've been thinking about running a poker site or a dice site with real bitcoin gambling. I've spoken to lawyers here in the USA and they say it's illegal and i could get in a lot of trouble. I would just like to hear from the community if it really is a problem and will the law eventually come after you. Has anybody ran or running a bitcoin gambling site in the USA?

Topic: Running a poker/dice site with bitcoin gambling in the USA? (Read 2240 times)