Hi there! I was wondering if playing poker for a living was legal in Taiwan? I have spent the past couple of weeks trying to figure out ways to stay in Taiwan and earn enough money, and ended up thinking that poker might be my best option.
I’m not a newbie, I played semi-professionally a couple of years ago, but stopped since I didn’t really like the lifestyle and had better ways to make money. But now that I’m in Taiwan, where I only need NT$20K per month to live well (don’t tell me it’s not possible, I have been doing it for months, and it’s fine). I can surely make those 20K at poker, without sweating too much.
I know I won’t be able to get any legal job in Taiwan (no passport from an English-speaking country, only an Associate Degree, and no 2-year working experience), and teaching illegally in some school seems too risky.
So poker sounds like my best choice. I was just curious whether online poker is legal or not in Taiwan? Anyway, even if it’s not, I don’t see how I could ever get caught, but I’m wondering.
[quote=“Lemon”]So poker sounds like my best choice. I was just curious whether online poker is legal or not in Taiwan? Anyway, even if it’s not, I don’t see how I could ever get caught, but I’m wondering.
Thanks![/quote]
I worked the SnG for a while through a couple of sites (this was 2008/2009). Stopped doing that, then when I went back for a few games last year, the regulators had tightened up and I could no longer download the software due to my Taiwan ISP.
You might be able to find a site that you can play on with a Taiwan ISP, or just get round it by hiding your ISP altogether.
Yes, gambling is technically illegal here. But if you can find a way of playing online, it’s highly unlikely the police will come knocking.
If you ‘only’ need NT$20K a month, then there are far easier and less risky way to make that money. Just build websites with affiliate links, or something like that. All the skills you develop while doing that could be useful in the future.
Playing poker to generate small amount of money has to be the most depressing thing ever, and leaves a gap in your resume.
I’ve known two or three guys that have done this. One guy reputedly put his kids thru TAS with his earnings. Of course, you’ll still need to do your visa runs and from what I understood about the best time to play in tournaments, you’ll be up all night. Good luck.
Find a weekly game. I play in a game where the big winner of the night usually walks home with more than 20K.
Don’t PM me though, I am not bringing internet strangers to a poker game, you’ll have to find another game on your own, but there are plenty out there (pssst. check CraiglistTW and other sites).