Rakeback Legality

[tom]

I hope this is not a dumb question, but here goes:

I know that the legality of playing online in the US is questionable, but what about rakeback?

If you are getting rakeback, aren't you kinda being paid by the site to play, and thus do you become part of a gambling operation, and not just a gambler?

Gambling operations are definitely illegal, being a gambler probably isn't.

[Pokeraddict]

It's a bonus, is getting a bonus illegal? No.

[tom]

Seems to be a bit different from a bonus though, as bonuses are open to all who play at a site.

To get rackback, you need to make a special deal with someone, and so doesn't this make you more complicit in the gambling operation?

[ds914]

I'd feel safer getting a bonus from another person rather than one of the sites.

[highlife]

[ QUOTE ]
I hope this is not a dumb question, but here goes:

I know that the legality of playing online in the US is questionable, but what about rakeback?

If you are getting rakeback, aren't you kinda being paid by the site to play, and thus do you become part of a gambling operation, and not just a gambler?

Gambling operations are definitely illegal, being a gambler probably isn't.

[/ QUOTE ]

your pseudo-analogy sucks. rakeback is more like a mail-in rebate.

[emonrad87]

The sites aren't paying the rakeback - the affiliates are. I would not say that the affiliates are part of the casino operation... they are independant marketing companies contracting with the sites.


Regardless, it doesn't matter... the government isnt going to do anything any time soon.

[krazyace5]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I hope this is not a dumb question, but here goes:

I know that the legality of playing online in the US is questionable, but what about rakeback?

If you are getting rakeback, aren't you kinda being paid by the site to play, and thus do you become part of a gambling operation, and not just a gambler?

Gambling operations are definitely illegal, being a gambler probably isn't.

[/ QUOTE ]

your pseudo-analogy sucks. rakeback is more like a mail-in rebate.

[/ QUOTE ]

Or coupons, everyone can get rebates or use coupons, hell even the deposit bonuses but not everyone does.

If your so worried about legalities why the hell are you playing online poker anway?

[tom]

so from what i gather, it would be the associates that are treading a fine line.

not overly worried because playing is a gray area, but once you cross over the gray area into having a direct association with the gambling site, this is not a gray area and in my mind clearly illegal.

[tom]

thanks for your reply. then i guess maybe it is just the affiliates that are treading the fine line.

i hope you are right about the government not taking any action. the wto ruling in antigua's favor should be a good thing, but it may backfire if the us decides to abide by the ruling by changing the laws to outlaw online gambling.

[krazyace5]

but you don't have an association with the gambling site, you have an association with an affiliate [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Don't know how much difference this makes though.