Online gambling in Canada...Illegal?

[Lefort]

A couple weeks ago, Scotiabank (where I do my banking) called me up and needed to know where these "large deposits" from Firepay were coming from, and I reluctantly told them online poker because after all, I'm not doing anything illegal...right?

Well they said "thats what we suspected...please do not deposit any more income from online poker, it's our policy." I didn't think much of it other than it was weird and kind of gay, but when I told my mother about it she tossed her salad and went right to the head Scotiabank office in Toronto to find out what the hell the deal was. Well they directed her to this RCMP website:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/qc/infos_gen/publications/cybercrime/crim_trad_e.htm

At the bottom it can be read:

[ QUOTE ]
Internet Casinos and Gambling

Most jurisdictions have strict regulations with regards to legal casinos and gambling. Any form of gambling that is not regulated by the province is illegal. Since the province has not licensed any online casinos, all forms of online gambling are illegal and the owners and operators of a casino may be charged under section 201(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada "keeping a common betting house". The patrons may be liable to Criminal Code charges under section 201(2)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada, "being found in a common betting house".

[/ QUOTE ]

I was totally unaware of this. Has anyone ever heard of this or had any experience with it before?

[TheZodiac]

You should have told them it was none of their business. Switch banks and make smaller deposits.

[Brice]

Bank elsewhere.

[blueodum]

It's illegal for the operators - not for you.

[atom_new]

*sigh*

[AlwaysWrong]

The RCMP doesn't get to interpret criminal code - that's for the judicial system to do. Your bank has some nutjob making decisions, so go to another bank.

[blueodum]

I would like to see them charge me with "being in a common gaming house" when I am in fact sitting in my living room.

[DavidNB]

HOw old are you? If under 18 no wonder the bank called you.

[Mossberg]

Well this post reminds me of one that came up several monthes ago. I'm 100% positive that the bank in question in that post was Scotiabank as well. I've only had experience with Coast Capital Savings, but when they asked what my job was, I reluctantly told them that I'm unemployed but have been making money playing poker. The teller was very polite about it and said "well you must be pretty good!!".. So clearly this can't be an issue with all banks - switch banks and boycott Scotia..

All this talk is really making me think that Canada will have to define it's Internet gambling laws quite soon. It's only a matter of time.

[sammyG]

I experienced similar problems in the past... stay away from scotiabank they simply choose not to support online gambling.... including scotiabank issued credit cards. I would suggest using TD

[sumdumguy]

[ QUOTE ]
I was totally unaware of this. Has anyone ever heard of this or had any experience with it before?

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes. A friend is a commercial banker for Scotia, and he had mentioned some years ago that they will not open commercial accounts for affiliates of online gambling sites or provide business expansion loans. It does not surprise me that they do not want to process consumer transactions. Scotia is pretty conservative in this area.

[roy_miami]

How big were the transfers? If more than $10k they are obligated to notify the government.

I'm not sure how firepay works because I use Neteller, but if they asked me where the money was coming from I would just say Neteller.

And if they said I know that, how is it getting in Neteller? I would say none of your effing bidness!! its just an online bank account!!

[sumdumguy]

[ QUOTE ]
I would like to see them charge me with "being in a common gaming house" when I am in fact sitting in my living room.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh Relax!
IF Internet Gambling were illegal, the rest of the Code has your ass very well covered:

Part VII Disorderly Houses, Gaming and Betting

197.(4) A place may be a common gaming house notwithstanding that

(a) it is used for the purpose of playing part of a game and another part of the game is played elsewhere;

(b) the stake that is played for is in some other place; or

(c) it is used on only one occasion in the manner described in paragraph (b) of the definition “common gaming house” in subsection (1), if the keeper or any person acting on behalf of or in concert with the keeper has used another place on another occasion in the manner described in that paragraph.

Or, how about:

202. (1) Every one commits an offence who

(a) uses or knowingly allows a place under his control to be used for the purpose of recording or registering bets or selling a pool;

Enjoy!

[Lefort]

Ya mostly $10k+.

[Genitruc]

TD was cool with me. I have a friend who got pwned by ScotiaBank as well.

[skier_5]

[ QUOTE ]
I experienced similar problems in the past... stay away from scotiabank they simply choose not to support online gambling.... including scotiabank issued credit cards. I would suggest using TD

[/ QUOTE ]

O rly?

I deposited directly into stars with my scotiabnk credit card. I've only deposited one cheque over 10k, but never had a problem. Though they wouldn't give me >1k in cash at the bank in the city (never had a problem getting cash as much cash as I needed where I used to live).

[RNiner]

No problems with the Royal Bank. ScotiaBank = teh suxors.

[roy_miami]

[ QUOTE ]
Ya mostly $10k+.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, thats not good. You're probably being investigated by the RCMP as we speak.

[Caddy_4_Life]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Ya mostly $10k+.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, thats not good. You're probably being investigated by the RCMP as we speak.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed. Under the new Money Laundering Act (I believe 2001), your financial instition is legally obligated to report your transactions to the RCMP.

Caddy