USA live poker trip
I am a UK citizen wanting to go to the US for 3 months to exclusively grind live poker. I have a UK bank account (Lloyds). How can I get a bankroll to the US? I know that anything over 10k you need to declare and there's a possibility of them seizing your money anyway, whether in the US or at the border. What is a safe way of 1) getting a bankroll over there (would I be able to just withdraw daily from my UK bank account in the US?) and 2) bringing my BR and potential winnings back to the UK.
Cash seizure is WAY over feared than reality for most people w/o a shady background or reason. Outright theft is a much bigger concern
You can probably wire the money to a casino. Problem it then getting access to those funds as it sounds like you want to move around.
With effort you can open an US bank account. There are also banks that are "international". You could open an account at one of those and maybe then you can access UK funds via US branch. I expect exhange rates may suck.
Ofc there are always ATM and CC though there are limits and can be expensive.
I doubt you will able to withdraw from your UK account directly.
Winnings going back, you can do the opposite.
You can purchase a money order (and if you want mail home).
You might be able to get a casino to give you a check. Or if you are a whale, they could wire back to your bank.
Just carry and declare.
How good the ATM rate is depends mostly on your bank. US banks will mostly provide 1k or more per withdrawal at around 5$ fee. Unless you are stupid and withdraw at a non-bank ATM such as the airport, a casino or the LV strip. They will all charge more. They will not take your money if you declare it unless you come with some funny stuff. They will not take it kindly though if you say you will grind poker full time, since that would be a work, and you would need a work visa for that (which is impossible to get for poker AFAIK).
Yes, if moving around then it would be more difficult. Certainly talk to your bank first to see if they have an avenue/partner bank in the US they work with. Definitely expect a delay with any form of 'check' going either way. Research any international banks that you could open an account with.
How much are we talking? Stakes and potential cities? By car or plane during stay? Casino hotels/apartment/house rental?
People travel to Vegas 'every day' within the US and don't get seized. Customs will know if you are a 'watched' or 'well traveled' person as soon as you step up. Have a copy of your first stop's reservation to show that your story at least matches up to that. You may get an eye roll if you can't show them exactly where you will be the whole time in the US.
Obv Vegas would be the 'easiest' first stop for you since those casinos are dealing with this issue pretty much daily. DON"T necessarily tell them you are going to be in the US for 'weeks' and then take the funds out in 'days' if you plan to change cities or hotels.
It looks like Lloyd's charges 9.50 to send, but there may be a fee on the receiving end in the US. I would talk to a branch person, not the phone service, to get information as those folks will probably already have a 'relationship' with a US banker/broker.
I guess you can also talk to a casino host in your home poker room? They should know how their guests move money around. You could also DM Rob Yong on Twitter/X to see how he handles his funds with PokerGo and Hustler. GL
Yes, if moving around then it would be more difficult. Certainly talk to your bank first to see if they have an avenue/partner bank in the US they work with. Definitely expect a delay with any form of 'check' going either way. Research any international banks that you could open an account with.
How much are we talking? Stakes and potential cities? By car or plane during stay? Casino hotels/apartment/house rental?
People travel to Vegas 'every day' within the US and don't get seized. Custom
I am planning on staying in florida, but i want to book a RV/van and travel around that way - so I won't actually have a permanent fixed residence. I am planning on playing mostly 2/5, I am not a high roller or whale or anything like that.
How good the ATM rate is depends mostly on your bank. US banks will mostly provide 1k or more per withdrawal at around 5$ fee. Unless you are stupid and withdraw at a non-bank ATM such as the airport, a casino or the LV strip. They will all charge more. They will not take your money if you declare it unless you come with some funny stuff. They will not take it kindly though if you say you will grind poker full time, since that would be a work, and you would need a work visa for that (which is im
if it is 5 fee per 1k I can definitely live with that. The only issue is whether I would be able to withdraw directly from my UK bank in the US, I suppose that's not possible. Also it leaves the question of how to bring that money back to the UK, as I can't just deposit into my bank in the US
Cash seizure is WAY over feared than reality for most people w/o a shady background or reason. Outright theft is a much bigger concern
You can probably wire the money to a casino. Problem it then getting access to those funds as it sounds like you want to move around.
With effort you can open an US bank account. There are also banks that are "international". You could open an account at one of those and maybe then you can access UK funds via US branch. I expect exhange rates may suck.
Ofc there are
I suppose trying to open an international account will be the way to go, I can then withdraw/deposit in the US? Lloyds has international account but idk whether I'd be able to deposit in the US... I would need to know these things for sure in advance, guess I just have to ring up a bunch of different banks and discuss it with them
An international bank account is mostly if you want to keep money in currencies other than your home currency, to wire money any normal bank account will do, you just have to know the bank account number and SWIFT code of the recipient. The bank will also take money for this. Some banks you can do this online, if not you have to go to a branch. You can also declare your money and take it back with you to the UK. IIRC there were a few spots in London that have decent exchange rates, not sure other cities. They will also change your money at many spots in the US but will take a healthy amount.
The only issue is whether I would be able to withdraw directly from my UK bank in the US, I suppose that's not possible.
Major US banks (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo etc.) will take your Llyods or whatever other major bank debit card. If one ATM doesn't work just try the next one. Regional banks which are quite a thing in the US will usually not work.
With effort you can open an US bank account. There are also banks that are "international". You could open an account at one of those and maybe then you can access UK funds via US branch. I expect exhange rates may suck.
You cannot open a US bank account remotely as a non-US citizen at all major banks AFAIK. You have to be in the US in person and usually have at least some business interests or whatever in the US. KYC and penalties for money laundering are strong in the US, all the banks are scared.
As noted above, you will likely need proof of visa, a tax ID (called a TIN, analogous to our SSNs), and an address in the US to open a bank account here, though different banks may have different requirements.
I don't know what the right answer is. Certainly the easiest one is to get the cash (in USD if possible) in your local area, then just declare it on the way in and out and have lots of paperwork ready to show about how you plan to use it, your gambling records, etc. But there is some risk here.
The next easiest is just to withdraw via ATMs along the way, but you will face daily limits and ATM fees (on both ends).
If you plan to (or at least are willing to) play some pit games at your first (major) casino, they may be willing to let you wire in money into a house account, and let you use it. Not sure how easily you can cash it out all though, hopefully someone here has experience with this kind of transaction and can steer you right.
At your last casino you can probably get your cash converted into a check, but it will likely/possibly be in US denomination, so you'll have to figure out how to deal with that at your home bank.
As a first step I would probably talk to your home bank first and ask them for advice. If they have a product that might work, they will likely be able to tell you all about it.
The only issue is whether I would be able to withdraw directly from my UK bank in the US, I suppose that's not possible
Of course it's possible, indeed standard. I personally wouldn't do it because of the fees, unless out of necessity.
I'd look into the below....
Florida is awful
I mean this may sound stupid but have you tried just asking other people who have taken overseas trips what they did? I assume since you want to take more than 10k you probably play higher so more than likely know someone who has done it.
I mean this may sound stupid but have you tried just asking other people who have taken overseas trips what they did? I assume since you want to take more than 10k you probably play higher so more than likely know someone who has done it.
IME just because someone plays higher doesn't mean they are good at these kind of things, many people are complete whales when it comes to to money exchange, they will just go to the casino or their bank and take whatever rate or instructions they are given.
For your reference the cheapest way to exchange would be if you have an Interactive Brokers account, you can send money there and receive it back normally for free within the UK, and you will get USD back for the midrate up the fifth digit or something and like 2$ fee. However, Interactive Brokers doesn't like it if you use their account only for currency exchange, you should have at least some investments in stocks or ETFs or whatever. Then you go to your bank and demand cash for your USD in your USD account, should only cost minor or no fees. I know Barclays and HSBC offer USD accounts, most likely every other bank also, since the City of London financial district operates in USD.
What kind of visa are you traveling on? If you're coming here to work, as 'grinding' poker implies, you *could* get hung up at the port of entry if you're coming across on a tourism grounds. A tourist with an excessive sum of cash *is* suspicious. If you then explain it as being a poker pro, boom, you're in trouble one way or another.
What kind of visa are you traveling on? If you're coming here to work, as 'grinding' poker implies, you *could* get hung up at the port of entry if you're coming across on a tourism grounds. A tourist with an excessive sum of cash *is* suspicious. If you then explain it as being a poker pro, boom, you're in trouble one way or another.
Do you realize how much a tourist might spend? And keep in mind, some people (esp. in certain cultures) are still very cash based. Quite certain customs has seen TOURISTS bring in very large sums of cash.
Coming in on business and carrying excessive cash would be far more suspicious. Remember, the intent of the declaration, CTRs, etc are all about money laundering and elicit business (drugs, terrorism, bribery, etc). Business in the US is not routinely conducted in excessive amounts of cash.
So coming in on business expecting to transact largely in cash is going to gather far more customs attention than a tourist planning to spend a bunch of cash while here.
As noted above, you will likely need proof of visa, a tax ID (called a TIN, analogous to our SSNs), and an address in the US to open a bank account here, though different banks may have different requirements.
I don't know what the right answer is. Certainly the easiest one is to get the cash (in USD if possible) in your local area, then just declare it on the way in and out and have lots of paperwork ready to show about how you plan to use it, your gambling records, etc. But there is some risk
Ok so since I will be looking to play 2/5, I won't need to bring in more than 10k on the way in, I will probably just exchange here in the UK gbp to usd and bring in 5k or even less (around 10 BI) and hope I don't run terribly bad. I'm not planning on degenning it up in pit games. So I could just pay the casino money and get them to write me a cheque? Why would they agree to that, do they take a fee? Surely if this is an option then this is way better than risking forfeiture when declaring at the airport.
If I declare on the way out, and I have proof from the casino (like cash out receipts? Idk I've never asked for one) will they ask questions why I have so many casino withdrawals? Will this satisfy the border force overlords, or will I still risk all my money being taken? I would like to be able to try out a few different casinos, so I couldn't just deposit with one of them and then withdraw at the end of the trip
IME just because someone plays higher doesn't mean they are good at these kind of things, many people are complete whales when it comes to to money exchange, they will just go to the casino or their bank and take whatever rate or instructions they are given.
For your reference the cheapest way to exchange would be if you have an Interactive Brokers account, you can send money there and receive it back normally for free within the UK, and you will get USD back for the midrate up the fifth digit or
I thinkk I have an IB account but don't use it. So I could buy a stock option for say 100 USD then use the account to transfer the 10k+ USD into GBP? How would I convert the cash into USD on the IB account? I still need to deposit the cash somewhere and I can't create a US bank account I've been told
I thinkk I have an IB account but don't use it. So I could buy a stock option for say 100 USD then use the account to transfer the 10k+ USD into GBP? How would I convert the cash into USD on the IB account? I still need to deposit the cash somewhere and I can't create a US bank account I've been told
You don't need to buy any stocks or options you can trade forex directly via their interfaces, just send GBP, convert and receive USD or vice versa. You need a USD bank account for that, which you should normally get for free at your bank.
You don't need to buy any stocks or options you can trade forex directly via their interfaces, just send GBP, convert and receive USD or vice versa. You need a USD bank account for that, which you should normally get for free at your bank.
Ok I understand I can send USD and convert it to GBP. But how would I get the USD (cash) in the US onto the site in the first place? I would have to deposit the cash somewhere. Are you saying I would be able to deposit the cash in the US into my international Lloyds bank account if I open one?
Not in the US probably but at a bank branch in the UK
Do you realize how much a tourist might spend? And keep in mind, some people (esp. in certain cultures) are still very cash based. Quite certain customs has seen TOURISTS bring in very large sums of cash.
Coming in on business and carrying excessive cash would be far more suspicious. Remember, the intent of the declaration, CTRs, etc are all about money laundering and elicit business (drugs, terrorism, bribery, etc). Business in the US is not routinely conducted in excessive amounts of cash.
So c
None of this refutes the fact that a tourist carrying large sums of cash is suspicious in the eyes of US border agents, and they will want to know that the money isn't drug money. OP was worried about seizures. Seizures at the border DO happen if you come across as suspicious and can't demonstrate the money is legitimate. If OP doesn't want his money seized, he should make sure he's not tripping any other red flags at all.
Making sure to declare it is a very good first step, but you can still get pulled aside over it.
This all goes double if you're entering a Florida port of entry, given how that's a prime drug entry region in the US.
There's no problem with that. Just say you won it in a casino. That will shut down all questions normally. As advised earlier just don't get into any discussion how you're a poker pro and whatnot, nothing good will come out of that. You were on holiday and played in casino X (just name where you played the most).
Admittedly carrying cash on long distance flights is not optimal but in your case there's hardly a better solution.
Ok so since I will be looking to play 2/5, I won't need to bring in more than 10k on the way in, I will probably just exchange here in the UK gbp to usd and bring in 5k or even less (around 10 BI) and hope I don't run terribly bad. I'm not planning on degenning it up in pit games. So I could just pay the casino money and get them to write me a cheque? Why would they agree to that, do they take a fee? Surely if this is an option then this is way better than risking forfeiture when declaring at th
They have a bank that you can open up an account for generally for free (sans wiring fees). What they gain is they gain you coming to their casino and spending money. It's a service they offer the players.
(This is for LA casinos that I'm familiar with YMMV)
