Has it become safe for US players to deposit/withdraw again?

[VegasDave]

I haven't gambled online in quite some time, ever since Neteller shut down.

I'd like to play some poker / bet some games, but I'm curious if it will be possible to deposit and withdraw money without huge fees these days?

How bad is it?

[bigboydan]

It's as safe as it's gonna get right now for us U.S. players these days.

There are many options available for us really. You can use Western Union, MoneyGrams, Bankwires, Pre-Paid Credit cards, Ewalletexpress, just to name a few. Epassportee seems to be a popular funding method for most online poker sites, so that might be one of the easier funding methods out there to serve your purposes.

[jon13009]

Deposit methods still few

Prior to the anti-online gambling legislation, deposits were almost instantaneous (via direct deposit from my checking account), and it took only a few days to get a withdrawal (via direct deposit as well). After the anti-gambling legislation hit direct bank deposits and withdrawals were gone in a matter of days.

The only method I have used is ewallet express, and they charge way too much. However, I live on the east coast, and using online sportsbooks are my only way of feeding my gambling habit and I have to use what deposit methods are available (ewallet express). In terms of withdrawals, my sportsbook (BODOG) took around 1 month to send me a 3rd party check. I can only hope being able to withdraw my money is still available in the future, but after watching how this idiot legislation has affected my ability to deposit and withdraw money online, I have kept only an amount in my sportsbook that I can afford to lose.

I think most of us here are responsible gamblers. Americans have been denied a right available to responsible gamblers throughout the world because our government thinks it is somehow immoral to do what is licensed, taxed and regulated in other nations such as Great Britain. This legislation was created for Vegas lobbyists, illegal Bookies and moral hypocrites who want our government to regulate how, why and where we gamble. After getting a taste of how easy, fast and even profitable on-line sports-books are, on-line sports books are here to stay. Thankfully SBR knows this, and has provided a means for responsible gamblers to share information about sportsbooks that try to con us out of our funds.

[likewhoaa]

Its always been SAFE. But a lot of sportsbooks are seriously lagging on payouts unintentionally/intentionally.

[VegasDave]

How bad are the fees with Epassportee?

[gotsteam]

I do not think it is any less safe or more safe than before.

It is definitely less convenient post neteller.

But as everyone has said and already seen creative new payment options have appeared and will continue to appear and those with business savvy and good service will grow and prosper.

The real danger is as it has always been, which book you bet with.

Like Spiro says, you should sweat the game and not the payout!

[WileOut]

It is safe with the A books and it really isnt even less convenient for me. Dont get me wrong I wish things had never changed but I dont mind waiting a little while for a check to come in the mail. If I want it quick I just pay the 30 bucks for fedex express and its there in a couple of days. Also there is free book to book transfers amongst the only books I am using now. So it really hasnt affected me in a bad way. I understand that it has affected many others though and I want it changed for the better.

[domwolf]

I agree it's the method but the books.

I have heard so many horror stories it's all most sur-real to me since i have never had a problem.

With all these new laws you have to be really careful where to put your money to bet.

[remmy358]

play at betjm/the greek, matchbook and you're safe. small timers will like 5dimes and legendz

[VegasDave]

So when you withdraw via check, there is no fee?

[jon13009]

At most books a withdrawal by check is free, but you have to wait. At Bodog it took an average of 1 month to get a check (no fee), but your book may have other charges or requirements. For some that is a long time to wait, but to me the most important thing about a book is if your money is safe there. Bodog was the first book I used because (before the anti-gambling legislation was passed) it was easy, safe and had good customer service. Since the anti-gambling law passed, things have changed a bit, and other on-line sites are becoming more attractive. Once again, these on-line books are held to little or no regulatory standards, and they can do what they want for the most part. It is the ability to hold (or lose) players (and their account dollars) that keeps them in line.

[jolub]

How bad are the fees with Epassportee?

A maximum of $2.00.

Deposit are no problem. It's getting some of these site to pay you. Beware of FutureBet sites or you'll lose your deposit and winnings.

[biggamer3]

For Poker Epass is by far the best method for Americans

[imgv94]

Surprised there isn't a Neteller clone yet.

[biggamer3]

Surprised there isn't a Neteller clone yet.

Epassporte is as close to Neteller as there is

[jjgold]

hard as ever

[IWishIWasRich]

Carib charges $50 to send you a check via Fedex. I finally got an agent for one of the offshore books, we pay off on Mondays using PayPal. Just like a local bookie (but the locals usually pay off on Tuesdays, after MNF). Very convenient.

[slacker00]

SBR, is there a chance you guys can generate a spin-off site that compares, grades and discusses the various funding options for gambling sites. I think it was be as useful as the other services that SBR provides. It also seems to be something that would be right in line with the type of business that SBR does.

Personally, I've really cut back my online gambling since the Neteller fiasco. Now I'm starting to consider crawling back. I just don't want to get stuck in a situation like Neteller again. Maybe if SBR could slap some letter grades on some of these payment processors, I could gain a little confidence.

[Bullajami]

How bad are the fees with Epassportee?

If you fund ePassporte with a credit card there is a percentage fee, but it's a faster way to get money into your new account. If you set up a direct bank deposit, the fee is only $2, but you will be waiting about 2 weeks for things to process for your first deposit into ePassporte. After that the transfers from bank to ePassporte are fast - its just the initial verification that is slow.

A third (unadvertised) option is to have someone with an established account transfer you money directly from their ePassporte account to yours. If your account has been verified by credit card or bank, then the transfer fee is $0.25. If your account has not been verified, then the transfer fee is $5. (Most I have ever transferred this way is $500, so there may be a fee increase if you're moving larger amounts.)

SIA has a direct-to-your-bank cashout for Americans that takes 24 hours once they verify your identity. I had to send ID and a utility bill to prove my identity, but that only took a few days to get set up. Of course, they frigging collared me shortly afterwards.

Deposits via Western Union and MoneyGram are not too painful. Almost all books reimburse the fees and credit within 24 hours. Some books have the deposit credited by the time I get home - and its not far from the house at all. The only hassle is getting cash and taking it over to the **/** agent's office.

[jjgold]

Payouts are the main proble, they are very slow industry wide.

[louis]

It's not as safe as it use to be, but it's safe enough.