On the threshold of the 2014 edition of poker’s most prestigious tournament, the organisers of the World Series of Poker have warned would-be players travelling to Las Vegas to join the action that they must produce proof of identity and proof of where they are currently residing in order to comply with tighter money laundering requirements by the authorities.
WSOP communications chief Seth Palansky emphasised Thursday that the additional information is required as part of a federal law-strengthening process the government of the United States has put in place regarding money laundering, adding:
“It’s not the World Series of Poker that has put this rule in place. All companies involved in big financial transactions received an e-mail about this last week stating that an attempt should be made to verify residency of international customers.
“This federal law does not just apply to poker or casinos, it’s something that has to do with all major financial institutions that deal with large money transfers. The advice to bring a second form of ID, or a utility bill, does not just help you at the WSOP but also at all other casinos you wish to play.”
“We are very much aware of the fact that non-US ID cards and driver licenses don’t have address information, but this federal law wants us to be able to prove where someone is residing. So any phone bill, gas bill, credit card bill, driver’s license or rent statement would help with the identification process as long as it has your address information. In the end, in order to get paid out, you need to prove some form of residency,” Palansky said.
The 2014 World Series of Poker kicks off next Monday (May 26).