Non-US Players to Prove Residency with Second ID at WSOP

WSOP has just announced that all non-US players seeking to play the WSOP or play online at WSOP.com will be asked to present a second form of identification besides their passport, as proof of their residency.

In fact, the new regulation is based on federal law and affects all companies involved in major money transactions, to help prevent money laundering. WSOP Media Director Seth Palansky has issued the following statement on the matter:

“It's not the World Series of Poker that has put this rule in place, this is part of a federal law strengthening process the government of the United States has put in place regarding money laundering. 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, drivers 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 proof some form of residency,” Palansky stated.

Even though the statement claims that no entrant will be prevented from playing and withdrawing funds, online play will definitely not be possible without a proof of residency. Also, with the festival kicking off on Tuesday, some players have already left their homes for the USA, including this year’s EPT Grand Final Main Event runner-up Jack Salter and WSOP champion Jason Duval.

Alone in terms of winnings, non-US players take up a significant percentage of the field: in 2013, 21 of the 62 bracelets (33.9%) were won by them, thy cashed 2,282 times out of the 8,452 (27%) and won $60,728,671 of the total prize pool of $200,036,292 (30.4%).

The original tweet from WSOP, causing a stir in the poker community, reads as follows:

“Attn non-US WSOP players: You'll want a 2nd form of ID besides passport to reg for events. Need ID proving your residency/current address.”

It goes without saying that players from around the globe started to criticize WSOP for the late notification and also to ask questions. EPT title holder Danish Mickey Petersen, for instance, asked if his passport issued in a different country than where he is originally from was an issue, which it is not, according to Palansky’s reply.

Additional problem seems to be that it is not possible to register with and play at the official online room WSOP.com without a US social security number or address. WSOP.com head of poker Bill Rini clarified that this issue will be fixed; however, a proof of residency is still required from non-US players.