Online gambling in Canada...Illegal?

Lefort · #1 10-20-2006, 05:22 PM

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_g...rim_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 · #2 10-20-2006, 05:29 PM

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

Brice · #3 10-20-2006, 05:31 PM

Bank elsewhere.

blueodum · #4 10-20-2006, 05:40 PM

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

atom_new · #5 10-20-2006, 05:41 PM

*sigh*

AlwaysWrong · #6 10-20-2006, 05:48 PM

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 · #7 10-20-2006, 05:50 PM

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 · #8 10-20-2006, 05:50 PM

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

Mossberg · #9 10-20-2006, 06:50 PM

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 · #10 10-20-2006, 08:43 PM

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