It’s hard to believe that so much has changed in the US since the government decided to go on a witchhunt after online poker sites and prosecute their main men. Since Black Friday, which April 15th has become known as, many professional poker players in the United States have been forced to question the state of their livelihood and whether they can continue to live in the country in order to continue supporting themselves and, in many cases, their families as well.
One of the phenomenas we are experiencing is the migration of some of these professionals to Canada. It seems almost preposterous that in this day and age, decent American folk, who simply want to support their families by doing what they do best through something that harms nobody, would be forced to even consider leaving their home and country in order to make a living. But here you go folks – welcome to Prohibition circa 2011.
If you already have to move, then Canada may seem to be the best option. For one, players are used to a similar lifestyle, and the language is naturally the same. That clears up some of the settling in problems. Another good thing about being a pro in Canada is that you are now able to play at poker sites that weren’t previously open to you, such as Party Poker. In addition, if you can prove that you have a Canadian residential address and bank account, you’ll be accepted back to Poker Stars, for example.
But with every advantage, there are disadvantages as well, and nobody is promising US pros that the grass is always greener on the other side of the border. For one, there are greater expenses involved if you decide to become pro in Canada, this biggest being the fact that you are taxed on your winnings. Also, you may need to work in another profession for a while in order to meet the criteria for Canadian immigration laws. Naturally, all these things need to be taken into account if you decide to make the move.
Tags: canada, Online Poker
