Re: Security clearance and poker
 

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The answer to your question is that "card game playing" (meaning illegal card games) is listed on the FBI's list of "non-serious offenses." As it currently stands, the FBI doesn't include non-serious offenses in its background reports, but it has sought permission to include them in the future. This issue is something to keep an eye on if you think your employer might be shocked by your card playing. I work for a federal judge and he knows I play poker, but I do so legally in a casino.

http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/3903

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This is totally irrelevant. Read my original response to this post. If you are arrested, your record NEVER can disappear. Your fingerprints are on file with the FBI regardless. Now what this article you link to is about information that PRIVATE employers can find out about you. If your record is sealed after you turn 18 or you have had charges that were exponged/dismissed, private employers won't find this information if they do a criminal background check-same thing for things like speeding tickets, they don't show up on a criminal background check, and I see no need for an employer to even know my driving record unless I will be driving as part of my job. However, for a DOD security clearance, none of this matters. If you have ever been held by the police for any reason regardless of how old you are or the outcome, they want to know about it, and they WILL find out. You have to submit a set of fingerprints along with your application.

But again, what OP is really asking is if his poker playing would be an issue. I'm not advovcating lying, but I feel it's none of my employers god damned business what I do with my free time. Unless you support yourself playing poker or have been arrested for being involved with an illegal card club, I would not even bother to bring it up, besides, they probably wouldn't even care anyway, but better to not volunteer too much information.

Re: Security clearance and poker
 

I have a top secret clearance and it was not a problem.

Re: Security clearance and poker
 

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I have a top secret clearance and it was not a problem.

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Same here. I was completely candid about it. They seemed interested in determining if I was really successful or if I had a "gambling problem" but it didn't seem to be big deal.

Re: Security clearance and poker
 

I have a recent Top Secret clearance based on a single scope background investigation by DOD.

My understanding is pretty simple and similar but shorter than Aces Great answer...

Don't Lie but don't tell things you don't need too. They are looking to see if you can be blackmailed. I doubt you can be blackmailed regarding online poker unless you have a REAL problem in which case you aren't getting clearance anyway [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Hornet...

Re: Security clearance and poker
 

be honest.


basic thought process:
if you are open and honest about it, you can't be blackmailed about it. if you're hiding it from friends/family, you can be blackmailed about it (and thus, you are a security risk).