Credit/ check card legalese

[Parrothead]

I figure I should start this here rather than CS.

So I just got a new Visa CheckCard and was scanning the legalese when I happened across this entry:

You agree that you will not use the Card in connection with any internet or online gambling transaction, whether or not gambling is legal in any applicable jurisdiction. We reserve the right to decline any transaction that we believe is an internet or online gambling transaction or a high-risk transaction

While I don't play online poker or anything, I find it annoying that Visa sees fit to tell me what I can and can't do with my own money.

[Rapscallion]

I'd have no problem with this being on a credit card, since you'd effectively be gambling someone else's money, but on something where you have the money already? Odd.

Rapscallion

[Parrothead]

That's what I was thinking.

[HYHYBT]

I suspect they got tired of people disputing the charges when they lost, or when they "won" but weren't paid because it wasn't legal.

[fireheart17]

If it's like a Visa Debit card (basically it has the functions of a Visa card, but with your own money), then it depends on how they feel.

If it's a run-of-the-mill credit card, I'm agreeing with everyone else: it tends to open the floodgates for fraud claims.

[Ghel]

It would be interesting to know if the legalese you quoted came from your bank or from Visa. I know there is some "boilerplate" language that Visa requires to be used, but that doesn't sound like part of it.

The following is from our complaince constultants (not affiliated with my bank or with Visa):

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006. The act prohibits any person engaged in the business of betting or wagering (as defined in the act) from knowingly accepting payments in connection with the participation of another person in unlawful Internet gambling. Such transactions are termed "restricted transactions." The act generally defines "unlawful Internet gambling" as placing, receiving, or otherwise knowingly transmitting a bet or wager by any means which involves the use, at least in part, of the Internet where such bet or wager is unlawful under any applicable federal or state law in the state or tribal lands in which the bet or wager is initiated, received, or otherwise made.

So I suppose if a bank is located in a state where Internet gambling is illegal, it would make sense to include the disclosure limiting such transaction. Of course, in most cases, it would be difficult for the bank to tell if a transaction involved gambling unless the word was included in the name of the business.

[Parrothead]

It has my bank's name on the top of the insert I was quoting.

[Ghel]

It sounds like it's your bank that's choosing that verbiage. I, too, find it annoying that your bank is telling you what you can or can't do with your money.