Can US citizens play online poker for money in other countries?

[teyo]

Just curious as it is illegal to play online real money poker in the US, but I understood that US citizens living abroad are not restricted to this law as it is only enforced in US territories.

[barend31]

If you, as a US citizen, are playing poker in a country where poker for money is NOT illegal and you are legally IN that country, you are NOT violating US law by playing online poker for money.

It would be similar to going to a Cat house in Nevada and having sex with a legal prostitute. It is illegal everywhere else in the US, but not there, therefore your actions there cannot be prosecuted elsewhere.

However, if you win, you will owe taxes on the money. Since you are a US citizen, I would make damned sure the IRS gets their share! Tax evasion IS illegal regardless of where or how you made the money.