thanks for the prompt reply! Can i just double check even for sums of like 30-40k usd it shouldnt be a problem?

I've cashed out those amounts before. Repeated wires of over 10K might earn you ATO attention if you are an Australian resident.

So if im not an Australian citizen ,everything is fine then?

Chris means well here, but I can imagine some idiot reading his sincere advice the wrong way here.

Deliberately structuring your payments to avoid scrutiny is criminal - that's the crime of 'structuring' in Australia, and it applies to many (otherwise legal) financial transactions, not just poker-related.

You can read more about the structuring crime here:
http://www.austrac.gov.au/threshold-...n-reports-ttrs

The penalty for structuring is up to five years in prison, and/or a fine of up to $54,000. Don't do it.

There are a couple of threads in NVG where one poster in 2012, and one in 2016, claim that they were convicted of Bahamian offences related to money laundering because they tried to move their money in chunks of under $10k to avoid reporting it. Each of them reported that they lost tens of thousands of dollars, and had a crappy time enduring the Bahamian legal system while being convicted of various crimes and gaining themselves criminal records.

If your money is not from the proceeds of crime, then trying to structure your transactions to avoid being detected is one of the worst negative freerolls that you can create for yourself in life. It's ****ing dumb, it's an entirely unforced error, and people who try to do it seem to be unreservedly ignorant of how extraordinarily stupid it is.

To the person who originally asked the question:
If you're not confident of these issues, you should get expert advice. There are a bunch of suburban accountants and lawyers who you can pay a relatively trivial sum of money to get properly educated on these issues.

I'm not a lawyer/accountant, and thus, I'm not able to provide expert advice specific to your situation. I've merely done the anti-money laundering training that is mandatory for all employees of the online gaming business that I work for.

From what i have gathered that you are saying, if i have nothing to hide, i should mainly just cashout lumpsum($40kusd) and if asked just tell the bank/authorities that it was from the online poker room.

Josem is correct, I should have mentioned the existence of the structuring law.

FWIW I have cashed out multiple 5-figure amounts and I once received a slightly menacing letter from AUSTRAC, saying basically "got anything you want to tell us?". I called them up and said it was gambling money and the woman was like "OK, I'll put a note on your file". That was it.

But yeah I'm not a professional, this is all to the best of my knowledge. If you're worried, seek legal advice.

That's what I would do. But I am not a lawyer, chatting to a local expert is likely to be helpful for you anyway. You may have other personal issues that complicate such things that I don't know about.

Update time. Got a letter from them yesterday. It was sent in late April to my USA#1 address, lol snail mail.

Just like the VCC person said she thought would happen, one was reduced to a warning with a note saying I'm ineligible for any more warning reductions for a period of two years. The other was not reduced, and the due date for payment extended until mid May.

Couple of questions, not sure whether it's better here or in LCP. Will be in Sydney soon and prolly have at least one or two nights to play the pokers at Star City (That's the only show in town, right?).
My main concern is changing AUD back to EUR in Sydney CBD without getting ripped off too much, does anyone know what my best play is there?
Also:
Thinking about a daytrip tour to the blue mountains, worth it?
Any other things worth doing (and not mentioned in the usual tourist guides)?
Where to go to some drinking after the pokers?

Thanks.

IDK where to go to change money but it's not like it's SE Asia, any place you go will charge basically the same.

Don't know Sydney super well. The Blue Mountains are worth checking out for sure. Whether you want to tour or DIY it is up to you, tour is probably worth it to avoid the hassle of figuring out where to go yourself tbh.

Star City is the only game in town. Prepare to be injured anally by the rake. Frankly I'd recommend hiring a car and checking out the surrounds rather than playing (but maybe you only have nights free?). The Hunter Valley wine region is 2 hrs away if you're into wine.

Thanks, yes I know about the rake (10% capped at 10 and 5/hr) but frankly, from a European perspective, that's not that bad. However with 5% extra rake uncapped due to currency conversion (that's what I would have to pay back home) that's not that great anymore. But it's more like something to do at nights as you mentioned and maybe meet some people.
I'm sure the surrounds are nice but yeah, I lack the time for that. I got two days off basically and wanted to use these to see downtown/opera house/natural harbor and the second for the blue mountains.

Yeah sounds like a plan. IDK if you know already but you can do guided, harnessed walks up to the top of the arch of the Harbour Bridge. I cbf googling but I think it's like $100+, but it's a pretty cool thing to do if you've never been to Sydney.

If you haven't seen the Australian bush before then Blue Mountains is a must do, if you have then I'd still recommend it, it's a good day out.

Hey guys,

I posted earlier in this thread about where to go for beach and laid back lifestyle and Byron Bay kept popping up. Well my lease ends soon in Bangkok and I definitely want to do working holiday visa in OZ.

If anyone can help answer these questions pertaining to Byron Bay I would really appreciate it.

1. How is the internet is it fibre optic? I was looking at the nbn website and it says wireless fibre are the speeds awesome and how is the ping to US/EUR?

2. What is the weather like year round in Byron? I come from San Diego so use to great beach weather.

3. Is it easy to make friends and join a social circle in a small place like byron bay?

4. Are girls easily approchable? Sometimes in the USA a lot of girls are pretty stuck up and shut you down quick.

5. I've been looking at gumtree and seems decent 1 bedrooms are like 400 AUD a week seems fair? Also possible to only get 3 month lease?

6. How hard is it to get around is it possible to maybe get a moto scooter like in Thailand? I dont think I want to take a bus everywhere lol.


If nor Byron Bay what city would be the best fit for me I don't mind not having beach but would like mild weather without crazy humidity.

I don't know the specifics of fibre optic availability, but you won't have any trouble getting sufficient internet quality to play online poker. There's a pretty decent chance you'll even be able to do so using a mobile internet connection, you won't have trouble with a wired broadband.

I imagine it'd be better than San Diego. Climate info on Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_...ew_South_Wales

Yah; I think you'll find a lot of backpackers/tourists/etc. The locals will be significantly older than you are.
I don't have any metrics for how to answer this, but I think you'll find a lot of backpackers and tourists.
I don't have a good answer for this.
Yes, you can hire a bike or car.
If weather is your key concern, then basically anywhere from Newcastle to the Queensland border will be magnificent for you.

Sydney has the same latitude as San Diego, so you'll be a bit closer to the equator.

Wow thanks for answering my questions Josem your awesome!

Any recommendations besides Byron Bay for beach towns from Newcastle to Queensland?

Oh ok queensland border so thats like as far north as Gold Coast right?

I think Byron Bay is likely to have the most touristy and social opportunities from the continual supply of fresh backpackers coming to visit.
Yes.

Hey Josem, I spent a year in Oz from the beginning of 2012 until the beginning of 2013. Is it possible to get a second year visa if you didn't do the three months agricultural work?

It depends on a bunch of stuff; I'm not really comfortable providing specific legal advice, since you haven't even included what nationality you have.

Instead, I suggest going here and reading the wording very literally: http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1

I'm Irish. Ok will do thanks again!