Received a check by FedEx and about three to five days later I go to deposit it.

Before this, I had received an email from Bovada saying I should have received my check by now and also states use the ATM to deposit the check and do not whatsoever tell the bank it is money won from poker.

Anyone any insight on this issue? I am not looking to lie to my bank of a generation, so I went against advice and gave it to the clerk directly.

It was already in US funds so she said she did not have to convert the funds, since the check is from Canada.

She then stated after I asked that the funds would be cleared very fast.
COuld be just for me, not sure. Longtime banker with minimal issues.

Still bothers me they tell me not to say the truth. I am not into that. So I hope someone can give me a good reason to not take that email from Bovada as an insult.

Any ideas? THanksin advance.

Seriously, I'm not trying to be a dick here, but have you really never heard of the UIGEA? There's a reason why you're playing on Bovada and not PokerStars. Secondly, why on earth wouldn't you just use the ATM?

When you use the ATM it doesn't ask you questions. It takes the check, and if the teller has a question about the check (e.g., how come this check only has 8 routing numbers?), then they keep going up the chain until they find the pay grade that can say, "It's a legit check; it's Canadian. Deposit it."

You don't have to lie to your bank. They never told you to lie to the bank. They told you to not tell them it is from poker winnings:

Teller: "Hey buddy. This check looks fake. What's if from?"
You: "It's a legit check. I know the vendor, the checks have always been good in the past, and I have no reason to suspect this check would be any different (if this is your first check, then you can leave this second part out if it makes you uncomfortable)."

If they further interrogate:

Teller: "Oh, okay, so what's it from?"
You: "The check is valid; anything else is irrelevant. Can you get me on with my day now by depositing the check?"

or if you want to be nicer about it: "It's payment owed to me by a vendor. Please deposit the check, thanks."

Finally, it will take over a month for a foreign check to clear, so they are indeed fronting you the money. It will only take a week for it to clear initial inquiry but like 6 weeks before completed (i.e., free from being returned in most cases). This is how Nigerian check scams work; they work on the float.

This is the only reason why a teller asks where a check is from - to be assured you are not going to get ripped off because if the check is bogus, then they are going to take the money from you since it is your responsibility to know who you are accepting payment from, in the form of a piece of paper, that's not legal tender.

For example, if you have a revolving 20K balance in your checking account and debit out $2500 a month and deposit a $500 check, then they're going to front you the money once it passes the first inquiry since you'll never reach that $500 before it's been fully cleared.

Another example is if you've been banking with the same account for 20 years and never had a returned check and you can cover the amount of the check, then they'll likely front you the money (or a portion of it), because they trust your judgment on who you'll accept payment from by check.

In summary, if you want to keep having quick, successful Bovada cashouts, don't tell them it's from gambling. That doesn't mean you have to lie. Also, never wait to deposit the check. Do it immediately. The reason is someone a few days ago could have told a teller it's from poker, and now that US payment provider will get shut down and cause your check to bounce.

Ok so if Bovada does not clear this check, I want my bank to know.

They did not ask me any questions. Why would they?

I want a witness showing I deposited this and not just a receipt from the ATM.

Very unprofessional. So if Bovada is scandalous will find out.

Are you worker for BOvada, you seem annoyed

Any other comments, this one sucked.

If a poker client is not suppose to be writing checks that are for poker to me who lives in the USA then they need not be doing business writing checks.

plain and simple.

They'd know before you.

It is because foreign checks are checks most used by scammers, so they want to ensure you are not depositing a fraudulent check. Asking where you got it is a good start.

Surprised you'd play poker online if you don't trust computers. The witness won't remember it; he'll look at the computer receipt.


Nothing unprofessional. They, like all poker sites servicing American players, are using payment processors that are knowingly breaking the UIGEA. In order for your money to get from wherever the hell Bovada is located and into your US bank account, a payment processor IN AMERICA must be used. This processor is breaking a federal law, LDO.


I'm not annoyed nor do I work for Bovada. I do remember when I had a processor that was able to move 5-figure wires in a matter of days from Stars for months and then some donk would tell the bank the wire was gambling, we'd be at back to square one: finding a solid processor. That's ****ing annoying when you do this for a living.


You won't find a better explanation than what I have given you.

Then stop asking for checks (or any form of cashout). Stop playing on the site. Plain and simple.

bovada needs to stay out of the US if you want and expect everything you mentioned.

I am a person in favor of government. hahahaha all you bums

Lol, bum? I'm a bum why exactly?

But you're right; you got me to feed the troll twice.

That said, this thread will likely be moved to the IP forum where others can learn to not be stupid when cashing out.

wow really.

I would tell my bank anything and everything of where my money comes from to where I spend it.

if that makes something not work out right, well then I shouldn't be involved.

wasn't calling you a bum, I was just saying all you bums. not pointed at anyone, but I said it.

All us bums, why? Why are "we" bums?

Why are you playing online when you know your money cannot be received nor sent to a site without a federal law being broken? Hopefully all these shady payment processors in the US breaking federal laws will keep all your personal info confidential.

Anyway, done feeding the troll.

If you live in the US and don't want to be sent money via a method that is circumventing US law, you need to play online poker in NJ, NV, or DE at a state-regulated site.

plain and simple.

I was going to, but the OP it's being such an idiot that I'm going to lock it instead.