Best country for USA players to move - Poker Legislation

flash237 · 04-16-2011, 02:29 PM

Many of us who count on ipoker for a living are forced to make some very tough decisions in the coming months. If we decide to continue with poker many of us will be considering relocating out of the USA to somewhere else. ITT please include a suggested country, its tax rate on ipoker winnings, internet quality, something about its culture, climate, crime rate, best regions in the particular country to live, type of government and any other things you feel are relevant to a person moving there to play ipoker as a job. I'd love to here from those who actually live in some of the countries.

We all have to make this decision for ourselves but this should help those of us who decide that our best option is to vote with our feet.

PrimordialAA · 04-16-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash237

Many of us who count on ipoker for a living are forced to make some very tough decisions in the coming months. If we decide to continue with poker many of us will be considering relocating out of the USA to somewhere else. ITT please include a suggested country, its tax rate on ipoker winnings, internet quality, something about its culture, climate, crime rate, best regions in the particular country to live, type of government and any other things you feel are relevant to a person moving there to play ipoker as a job. I'd love to here from those who actually live in some of the countries.

We all have to make this decision for ourselves but this should help those of us who decide that our best option is to vote with our feet.

you guys do realize you cant just snap move to most places right...? there are months and months of paperwork and process to go through, and thats if you can even get accepted for residency (which for alot of countries who dont treat 'pro poker player' as a job, can be v difficult)

thepizzlefosho · 04-16-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrimordialAA

you guys do realize you cant just snap move to most places right...? there are months and months of paperwork and process to go through, and thats if you can even get accepted for residency (which for alot of countries who dont treat 'pro poker player' as a job, can be v difficult)

you seem informed. could you provide some more info on this process, and what countries would be best to consider if one were so inclined?

thanks

crazynip · 04-16-2011, 02:55 PM

If the legality of online poker is the biggest priority in terms of where you live, I would say you have some pretty flawed values.

flash237 · 04-16-2011, 02:57 PM

Yes I realize we can't just "snap move" thanks. This is intended to be a discussion of all such things. No rash decisions. I have enough money to last me for quite a while and if I decide to move it will be a well researched plan. I expect there will be some sacrifices to be made. This is often the case when you make a stand against something like an intrusive government. If you decide that you are ok with what our government is doing and wish to stay and get a different kind of job/play live best of luck to you in that as well. I have not made my decision yet.

Tom Dwans Son · 04-16-2011, 02:58 PM

Be prepared to move down levels, because the Americans that continue to play will be the professionals like yourself and all of the games will get tougher.

hoopaloopa · 04-16-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazynip

If the legality of online poker is the biggest priority in terms of where you live, I would say you have some pretty flawed values.

Relocation for your job? How is this any different. I do not get it and it's f'n retarded when people say this. Maybe breakeven ppl say this? idk but ff's, definitely not going back to work for the man. No way in hell.

flash237 · 04-16-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazynip

If the legality of online poker is the biggest priority in terms of where you live, I would say you have some pretty flawed values.

Yes I would say the legality of online poker is very high on my list of priorities for a place to move. I have played poker online for the past 7 years and it has been my sole source of income. I support my wife and 3 children on this income. It would be extremely difficult to duplicate my wages/lifestlye doing anything else. I understand if online poker is a hobby for you and not a "priority". There are many of us out here however that it is a big deal for. I don't appreciate my "values" being question when this is how I provide for my family but this is 2p2 so I guess it's to be expected.

PrimordialAA · 04-16-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrimordialAA

you guys do realize you cant just snap move to most places right...? there are months and months of paperwork and process to go through, and thats if you can even get accepted for residency (which for alot of countries who dont treat 'pro poker player' as a job, can be v difficult)

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepizzlefosho

you seem informed. could you provide some more info on this process, and what countries would be best to consider if one were so inclined?

thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash237

Yes I realize we can't just "snap move" thanks. This is intended to be a discussion of all such things. No rash decisions. I have enough money to last me for quite a while and if I decide to move it will be a well researched plan. I expect there will be some sacrifices to be made. This is often the case when you make a stand against something like an intrusive government. If you decide that you are ok with what our government is doing and wish to stay and get a different kind of job/play live best of luck to you in that as well. I have not made my decision yet.

I went through it w/my wife, she is french, and had to move here and the paperwork took FOREVER, even though we were married, and the same now, if I wanted residency in France, even tho i'm married to a French citizen, it would take a while, and a ton of paperwork.

Best places to go is UK (hands down) if you can get in, but again, I think you will have a ton of trouble applying for residency, and also don't think it will be a quick process by any means

Body Man D · 04-16-2011, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrimordialAA

I went through it w/my wife, she is french, and had to move here and the paperwork took FOREVER, even though we were married, and the same now, if I wanted residency in France, even tho i'm married to a French citizen, it would take a while, and a ton of paperwork.

Best places to go is UK (hands down) if you can get in, but again, I think you will have a ton of trouble applying for residency, and also don't think it will be a quick process by any means

I am a naturalized US citizen from the UK. I wonder if that would help me if I were to try to relocate to England? When I was naturalized I had to renounce my British citizenship, but I've heard/read that the UK would still honor my citizenship despite the US naturalization process. Does anyone know any more about this?

Despite my British heritage, I would probably prefer another location(Bahamas,Canada maybe?), if relocation becomes viable, but am considering all options at this point.

thepizzlefosho · 04-16-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrimordialAA

I went through it w/my wife, she is french, and had to move here and the paperwork took FOREVER, even though we were married, and the same now, if I wanted residency in France, even tho i'm married to a French citizen, it would take a while, and a ton of paperwork.

Best places to go is UK (hands down) if you can get in, but again, I think you will have a ton of trouble applying for residency, and also don't think it will be a quick process by any means

what about caribbean countries or south american countries? Don't many of those countries have very lax standards for getting a work visa (you simply need to get it renewed every couple of months)? I would think that one of those countries that also doesn't tax gambling winnings would be ideal for setting up a second residency.

sensAsian · 04-16-2011, 03:31 PM

look into asia. alot of countries let u stay up to 30 days visa free. all u gotta do is cross the border and come back to get stamped and u're good for another 30 days

PrimordialAA · 04-16-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Body Man D

I am a naturalized US citizen from the UK. I wonder if that would help me if I were to try to relocate to England? When I was naturalized I had to renounce my British citizenship, but I've heard/read that the UK would still honor my citizenship despite the US naturalization process. Does anyone know any more about this?

Despite my British heritage, I would probably prefer another location(Bahamas,Canada maybe?), if relocation becomes viable, but am considering all options at this point.

thats all that matters for you, in this case it doesnt matter what the US thinks, you dont even need UK citizenship, if the UK will let you live there / give you a visa, the landlords will let you rent an apartment there, and you will be able to show PS/FTP everything you need, super easy. US laws dont matter so much here, cause the US doesnt care, and neither do stars/ftp really, but they need you to be able to show that you are relocating to another country, which will mean visa / apartment / IP coming from that country

PrimordialAA · 04-16-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensAsian

look into asia. alot of countries let u stay up to 30 days visa free. all u gotta do is cross the border and come back to get stamped and u're good for another 30 days

90 days actually, at least in europe and most other places, but most landlords wont let u rent there, nor will power/water/cable companies give you an agreement without a visa or whatever, so yea you could go stay some other place for 90 days, and keep getting restamped for your 'tourist visa', but its unlikely that stars/ftp will allow you based on that, since it's not a real relocation (fwiw I lived in europe for 1.5 years like this, but all the paperwork was in my wifes name), so it really depends on what stars/FTP will accept, i've already sent them an email about it, but we'll wait and see what they say (imo its highly unlikely they will accept the described scenario).

flash237 · 04-16-2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrimordialAA

Best places to go is UK (hands down) if you can get in, but again, I think you will have a ton of trouble applying for residency, and also don't think it will be a quick process by any means

What reasons do you say that UK is such a clear cut favorite. Clearly the tax situation is as good as possible (afaik 0pct taxes on ipoker winnings). What about the climate? I here its awful? Cost of living? Other considerations?