Security clearance and poker

[damaniac]

One issue that I've wondered about (and didn't see much about while searching) was background checks/security clearances and poker. Say for a law enforcement job.

Issue 1 is taxes, which I imagine is very important and will come out in a background check (do they comb through your bank records?).

The other that I am less clear on is the poker itself. Since online gambling is only ambiguously illegal (if that is an actual status), would playing be likely to hurt you?

Does anyone know of anyone who has gone through a security clearance as a poker player? Anyone rejected? Etc.

[BluffTHIS!]

I don't know because it's been 20 years since I had a clearance. But don't lie about anything as they will send someone to ask random friends, dorm mates, etc. about you. However I doubt they will care about online poker which actually isn't illegal explicitly for the player except in a few states (see list of exclusions from Prima and other sites in threads here).

[MelchyBeau]

I wouldn't worry about it, just tell the truth. If its a lower level security clearance then they won't care too much. Most of the questions are pretty stupid.

If it is a very high level security clearance they might already know before they interview you. So just keep honest

[jthegreat]

Agree with Melchy. If it's a Secret-level clearance or lower, it's not a big deal. I wouldn't bring it up, but obviously don't lie about it if they ask you.

However, if it's a Top Secret clearance, they'll want to know everything and you better tell them.

[disjunction]

I agree with the prior posts. The only thing I'd add is that the "poker" part may give you more trouble than the "online" part. They won't like you if they think you have a gambling problem, and also they won't like you if they don't understand where your money is coming from.

But like the last couple of posts said, for Secret level you are most likely good to go.

[Tappy Tibbons]

For clearances, they generally look for current financial trouble and dishonesty. If you are completely honest about anything illegal in the past, and you don't have any currently past-due debt, you shouldn't have a problem. While I was doing IT support in an Eastern Europe combat zone, I worked with a guy who got his clearance after being kicked out of the Army for drug use.

[StellarWind]

The most important rule is tell no lies. Be completely forthright about what you do. Otherwise you risk being rejected for lying and you could also be fired after you start work.

The biggest thing national security clearance investigators are looking for is foreigners with leverage over you or inside access to your life. They are going to ask themselves how your gambling activity and overseas gambling accounts can be used to bribe, blackmail, or pressure you. That's what you need to address.

[damaniac]

Thanks all. I don't have one in the near future or anything. Really what I'm thinking about is a possible prosecutor/DOJ job after law school. Just wanted to know what the deal is.

Related question: I know I need to be paid up on taxes and everything, and as I mentioned in another thread, I would up not paying last year and have thus far been unsuccessful in amending this year (my CPA sucks ass). Anyway, I know that's no defense, but what I'm wondering is, after I do get it amended and everything, does that pose any particular problems with me for a security clearance?

[aces_full]

Honestly, I don't see what you have to worry about. While honesty is a good policy,and it might sound like I am suggesting lying,DON'T volunteer too much information. If something would be difficult to prove, best to leave it off. Also, background checks and a security clearance are two totally different things. Many private companies do background checks, and that usually involves at most a check of your criminal record,verification of education and employment history, and sometimes a credit check-but you have to be told in advance that they are going to pull a credit report. And of course the check references you provided. They will NOT be pouring over your tax returns or looking at your bank accounts, that's just silly, and private companies can't do this anyway.

Now for a security clearance-this is something that is issued by the depaerment of defense and has little to do with your actual job. In fact, when I held a security clearnce, my employer never even saw the paperwork I filled out. It was sent directly to the DOD. Here's what it's all about: There are basically 3 levels of a security clearance, and the big difference between them is how deeply the DOD looks into your past. For all security clearances you must submit a set of fingerprints. On the paperwork you must list ALL arrests even if you were a minor at the time or the charges were dropped. They also ask you if you have ever done drugs or have made money illegally-again, if you have never been arrested for it, best to probably just say no. I had a buddy who was completely straight edge but he did try marijuana one time (or so he said) and admitted it on his security clearance paperwork. That caused his clearance to be held up for months, and that is a terrible inconvenience if you are working in a job that requires a clearance. They do check your credit and they also veryify your education and employment history. They also ask for references that can pretty much verify everything you put on the forms. I would certainly not mention one bit about online poker UNLESS poker is your sole source of income. If there are any gaps whatsoever in your employment history, they expect an explanation AND a reference who can verify how you were able to support yourself. During my last two years of college I lived in an off-campus apartment that was paid for by my parents. Durning that time I did not work, and ater school when I applied for a security clearance that sent up a red flag. I was interviewed by a DIS (Defense Investigative Service) agent and he wanted to know how I paid my living expenses. They actually contacted my family to verify that my parents were indeed paying my rent and sending me spending money.

The difference in clearance levels is mostly in how far they go back. For a confidential clearance they only go back 5 years as far as your residence and employment history. For a secret clearance I beleive it is seven years, and for a top secret clearance it is ten years.

Even if it did come up, I highly doubt that playing online poker would ever keep you from getting a security clearance. The DOD is simply making sure that you are not a threat to national security. They want to make sure that there is nothing in your past that could be used to blackmail you and that you are not so deeply in debt that you could be bribed into leaking classified information.

[Rigel]

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.

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