Playing chess online for money/bitcoins is illegal?

[fork]

The chessmoney.com website faq says that some states disallow online gaming for money even if the game is purely skill based and has no random chance. It lists the following states as disallowing playing chess for money: Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisana, Maryland, Missouri, South Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Washington and Vermont.
https://www.chessmoney.com/cm/main?page=faq#faq11

I also found on Yahoo answers a question where the person said he made over $1000 on PlayE4 chess but couldn't withdraw the money because playing chess for money is illegal in Washington state.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090210183008AADK6Dy
 
Can anyone confirm if these statements are correct, wrong, or misleading? Also it would be interesting to ask the same questions about bitcoin instead of money.

[1714802914]

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[1714802914]

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[1714802914]

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[1714802914]

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[1714802914]

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[1714802914]

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[markjamrobin]

Yes. It's gambling. Least in some places.

[vervolioman]

I also found on Yahoo answers a question where the person said he made over $1000 on PlayE4 chess but couldn't withdraw the money because playing chess for money is illegal in Washington state.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090210183008AADK6Dy
 

Your right. The only solution is change residence of your location to allowed State and then request the withdraw

[markjamrobin]

I also found on Yahoo answers a question where the person said he made over $1000 on PlayE4 chess but couldn't withdraw the money because playing chess for money is illegal in Washington state.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090210183008AADK6Dy
 

Your right. The only solution is change residence of your location to allowed State and then request the withdraw

Or, you could play in bitcoin? It could work...

[fork]

I also found on Yahoo answers a question where the person said he made over $1000 on PlayE4 chess but couldn't withdraw the money because playing chess for money is illegal in Washington state.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090210183008AADK6Dy
 

Your right. The only solution is change residence of your location to allowed State and then request the withdraw

Can you point to which Washington law disallows playing skilled games for money? As well as point to which law in those states that disallow playing skilled games for money. I tried searching but couldn't find anything.

[NewLiberty]

I also found on Yahoo answers a question where the person said he made over $1000 on PlayE4 chess but couldn't withdraw the money because playing chess for money is illegal in Washington state.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090210183008AADK6Dy
 

Your right. The only solution is change residence of your location to allowed State and then request the withdraw

Can you point to which Washington law disallows playing skilled games for money? As well as point to which law in those states that disallow playing skilled games for money. I tried searching but couldn't find anything.

The host could take some steps if they were inclined to do more in Washington State.

Provided "bitcoins" are determined to be "merchandise" and not "money"
There is a process for being authorized in Washington State to host "Amusement Games" provided it is hosted for some social good (the hoster has to have some charitable purpose):

The full law for Washington State is here:
http://www.wsgc.wa.gov/rules/rules_manual_1211.pdf

The relevant part is here:

=========================
RCW 9.46.0201
"Amusement game."

"Amusement game," as used in this chapter, means a game played for entertainment in which:

     (1) The contestant actively participates;

     (2) The outcome depends in a material degree upon the skill of the contestant;

     (3) Only merchandise prizes are awarded;

     (4) The outcome is not in the control of the operator;

     (5) The wagers are placed, the winners are determined, and a distribution of prizes or property is made in the presence of all persons placing wagers at such game; and

     (6) Said game is conducted or operated by any agricultural fair, person, association, or organization in such manner and at such locations as may be authorized by rules and regulations adopted by the commission pursuant to this chapter as now or hereafter amended.

     Cake walks as commonly known and fish ponds as commonly known shall be treated as amusement games for all purposes under this chapter.


[1987 c 4 § 2. Formerly RCW 9.46.020(1), part.]

[kuusj98]

On some states/country's it is illegal but in most it is legal.

[theonewhowaskazu]

IS there any place to play chess betting Bitcoins? If so, whoever can beat crazy bishop can probably make a lot of money. Using that to choose your moves seems like something every Bitcoiner would do.

[Atruk]

IS there any place to play chess betting Bitcoins? If so, whoever can beat crazy bishop can probably make a lot of money. Using that to choose your moves seems like something every Bitcoiner would do.

More likely you'd have to beat Rybka, Fritz, or whatever software your opponent is using to play against you.

[theonewhowaskazu]

IS there any place to play chess betting Bitcoins? If so, whoever can beat crazy bishop can probably make a lot of money. Using that to choose your moves seems like something every Bitcoiner would do.

More likely you'd have to beat Rybka, Fritz, or whatever software your opponent is using to play against you.

Only crazy bishop is open source, and french too, so every bitcoiner will use it over all others.

[Atruk]

IS there any place to play chess betting Bitcoins? If so, whoever can beat crazy bishop can probably make a lot of money. Using that to choose your moves seems like something every Bitcoiner would do.

More likely you'd have to beat Rybka, Fritz, or whatever software your opponent is using to play against you.

Only crazy bishop is open source, and french too, so every bitcoiner will use it over all others.

Fruit, RobboLito, Igorrit, IvanHoe, FireBird and Fire and a number of other engines are open source as well. I'm not familiar with Crazy Bishop. In competitions where money is involved it is safest to assume people are going to be cheating. The people cheating are also probably going to at some point invest in the best tools for cheating... This sort of cheating arms race is also why such a site would be unlikely to draw any significant coin.

Any significant bitcoin to be awarded for chess prowess is going to be awarded as it always has been with dollars, through real life tournaments and matches.

[Luckybit]

The chessmoney.com website faq says that some states disallow online gaming for money even if the game is purely skill based and has no random chance. It lists the following states as disallowing playing chess for money: Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisana, Maryland, Missouri, South Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Washington and Vermont.
https://www.chessmoney.com/cm/main?page=faq#faq11

I also found on Yahoo answers a question where the person said he made over $1000 on PlayE4 chess but couldn't withdraw the money because playing chess for money is illegal in Washington state.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090210183008AADK6Dy
 
Can anyone confirm if these statements are correct, wrong, or misleading? Also it would be interesting to ask the same questions about bitcoin instead of money.

How would people like Bobby Fischer have made a living if playing Chess for money is illegal?

[genjix]

How would people like Bobby Fischer have made a living if playing Chess for money is illegal?

They play in physical brick & mortar locations.

[cowandtea]

Illegal, gambling is illegal...

[giantdragon]

Illegal, gambling is illegal...

Only in few U.S. states. In most countries of the world games of skills are not considered gambling at all.

[Carlsen1342]

VelocityChess is a new chess site that allows you to play chess for bit coins!  I highly suggest checking it out

www.velocitychess.com

[snappa4ever]

Illegal, gambling is illegal...

Gambling is not illegal in most places in the US. It is highly regulated and games must be considered to be fair and the house edge should not be excessive.

[runam0k]

No idea on the legality of it, but how would competitive chess work?  How could you be sure you were not up against decent computer software (or somebody assisted by decent computer software)?

[itsAj]

Illegal, gambling is illegal...

Gambling is not illegal in most places in the US. It is highly regulated and games must be considered to be fair and the house edge should not be excessive.

Most states have a monopoly on the gambling market via state education lotteries. Other states allow some forms of gambling but it taxed (via casinos) not only from gambling but also from the related actives like the staying at hotels that are attached to casinos.

[ikydesu]

it's gambling game, this is about your beliefs

I believe it is a sin.