How far can this go? The relevant part for a travelling pro: screening for "bank account activity". As in, large cash deposits and withdrawals?
How far can this go? The relevant part for a travelling pro: screening for "bank account activity". As in, large cash deposits and withdrawals?
I respect your knowledge and opinions on blackjack, but suspect that our politics are quite different. Of course, politics is not really a matter for this board.
This article does brings up a concern of mine. What would be the likely response of an Airport security personnel if they were to find a moderate amount of cash ($5K - $20K) in my money belt as I was getting ready to board a domestic flight to Reno or Vegas?
I don't think I would have violated any laws, but I suspect that I may get some increased security. I am not trying to start a political discussion, I am just genuinely curious about this.
> What would be the likely response of
> an Airport security personnel if they were
> to find a moderate amount of cash ($5K -
> $20K) in my money belt as I was getting
> ready to board a domestic flight to Reno or
> Vegas?
For security personnel at an airport I imagine you are already WAY over their definition of "moderate."
Just the fact you are wearing a money belt, with any amount of $$$ in it will probably concern them and cause you to step out of line.
If stopped and questioned, I would not treat them like I would a casino boss or PC. I would immediately start giving them lessons in card counting and make sure they believed I was a card player and not a mule for the mob.
I might even carry a copy of last years 1040 where I reported all that BJ income. [ Oops, you didn't report anything?? Bummer. ]
Things are gonna be different; that's for sure.
SR
> I might even carry a copy of last years 1040
> where I reported all that BJ income. [ Oops,
> you didn't report anything?? Bummer. ]
I was thinking more along the lines of being a well to do tourist who likes to play Blackjack than being a card counter. Plus, are they tied in to the IRS? I thought they were looking for mobsters and terrorists, not white collar tax evaders.
Do you really think that $5K - $20K in cash would raise questions? What about the same amount in travelers checks?
> I was thinking more along the lines of being
> a well to do tourist who likes to play
> Blackjack than being a card counter. Plus,
> are they tied in to the IRS? I thought they
> were looking for mobsters and terrorists,
> not white collar tax evaders.
> Do you really think that $5K - $20K in cash
> would raise questions? What about the same
> amount in travelers checks?
Another option would be to wire the money to yourself before you leave.
AZ
Can I take cash into a Western Union to be wired? Also, Can I wire straight to large casino's in Vegas/Reno or would I need to go to a Western Union office in the destination city?
I know that I could do a wire transfer from a bank account, but I would rather not put the money through my account for personal reasons (wife has access to that information, which is really none of her business).
Is it really that uncommon for a semi-wealthy tourist (e.g. successful dot-com'er) to be taking this kind of money to Vegas/Reno in cash and travelers checks? Maybe I am just being naive.
This is a good topic to bring up and some folks make some excellent recommendations. Specifically, use of Traveler Checks is great.
I've heard horror stories of players having their cash confiscated and not returned. You also run the risk of encountering an unscrupulous officer who pockets some cash and reports a lesser amount confiscated.
I find the best way to approach this matter is to consider that they will find your cash, and the first thing that will come to their mind is "DRUG MONEY." It is now up to you to prove otherwise. Sorry, unfortunately, this is the mentality and they call the shots! Just be prepared to fully disclose and justify where the cash came from.
Some ways that may help you protect yourself:
1) Have your Attorney and/or Accountant write a letter indicating that you plan to carry (exact amount of cash), and such amount has been officially recorded.
2) Carry a certified copy of your most recent tax return, highlighting the areas that demonstrate gambling activities. This should divert any attention from an illegal activity to that of legal gambling, as documented.
3) If you've withdrawn cash from your bank, ask a Bank Officer to draft a letter certifying that the amount of cash (which should correspond to the amount on your person at time of departing flight) was withdrawn from that financial institution.
When we are carrying cash legally, we are vulnerable to many bad things, and it's unfortunate that the law permits confiscation for unjustified suspicions! Let's educate and protect ourselves!
I hope this is helpful.
Regards,
Rick
Some great info there. I definitely recommend traveler's checks, a simple solution for the average player. Also, as for players getting cash confiscated and not returned, unfortunately I can attest to this as I know a player who has experienced this very unfortunate situation.
ANS
> This article does brings up a concern of
> mine. What would be the likely response of
> an Airport security personnel if they were
> to find a moderate amount of cash ($5K -
> $20K) in my money belt as I was getting
> ready to board a domestic flight to Reno or
> Vegas?
It has happened to me on several occasions - not a problem. As soon as they see that my money belt contains nothing except money, everything is fine. The amount of cash does not seem to raise any eyebrows.
Now, if I were flying to Miami it might be an entirely different matter.
This system, which relies on profiling to catch suspected criminals, is actually less effective than random searching. See link.
I'm planning another trip to Nevada in April and may be carrying up to $8K (depending on how things go between now and then). Parker's experience seems to be that even if they search me and find the cash, I should be fine. Night Train seems to be saying that I should take additional precautions.
Parker, what do you think of Night Train's advice? It seems reasonable, but may be overkill for this level of cash.
I just got back from Reno about a week ago and was carrying $4K - $5K in a money belt through security. At first I thought this wouldn't be a problem, but on the way back, I started to get a bit nervous. I know people who routinely carry $2K or so in their wallet, and there are a bunch of "moderate rollers" who play at the $25 tables and buy in for $1,000 at a time, so I would think that it would be fairly common for people to be carrying this kind of cash when they go to Reno or Vegas.
Anything $10,000 and over is likely to get you referred to the IRS. Having reported all my wins and losses, that would just be a delay in transit until the IRS determined a siezure was not warrented.
> Parker, what do you think of Night Train's
> advice? It seems reasonable, but may be
> overkill for this level of cash.
.. I'll weigh in again.
I don't believe you can always judge the future by the past, at least not in this area.
Your best defense is a good offense. Be prepared. Be prepared to show the guys in the security area and the guys in the black Suburban's you are not a terrorist, a drug dealer, or a money laundering mob dude.
My previous advice was to carry last years 1040, if it substantiates you as a player. If it dosen't, and you are winning, it should (did I say report it all? ... come on work with me here!) ANY reporting of gambling income in your 1040 gives you good reason to explain a whole lot of things -especially all the money you are carrying! BTW, when an IRS auditor sees you volunteering cash based income, especially gambling income, you are going to get some benefits-of-the-doubts along the audit trail.
I am considering -I said considering -declaring all my cash before I get on the plane. Certainly if less than $10K. I just don't see the point in not to when leaving home.
When leaving LV, I might imagine those screeners would be more used to seeing the cash and not worry about it. Maybe not.
I'll just say again, it ain't ever goinhg to be the same as it was yesterday when it comes to security issures around the country.
SR
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