More trouble at the bank

Two years ago I wrote how difficult I find it to go to the bank and withdraw the necessary cash for Las Vegas. It’s gotten worse. The UIGEA (Uniform Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) makes it a crime for a bank to knowingly assist poker players in their transfer of funds. I’ve been playing cat and mouse with the bank in this regard, sending and receiving money from a handful of ephemeral payment processors that stand in between me and the internet sites. In addition, my trading and investment activity call for frequent international wire transfers. Then there are withdrawals and deposits of large sums of cash for poker, and the wire transfers to Las Vegas. The last straw was the purchase of a surf house in Nicaragua. When I asked for a copy of the wire transfer form they wouldn’t give it to me—but I snuck a peak as she held it in her hand and saw that it had been flagged as suspicious. I so dread dealing with them that I go to a different branch to wire funds to the Rio and get my cash. I am pleasantly surprised when the teller is himself a poker fan, very impressed that I am playing in the World Series and friendly and helpful instead of gruff and suspicious.