{"id":281453,"date":"2023-07-18T07:29:20","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T12:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=281453"},"modified":"2023-07-18T12:15:16","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T17:15:16","slug":"australian-bank-criminalizing-the-use-of-cash-poker-player-crispin-rovere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/australian-bank-criminalizing-the-use-of-cash-poker-player-crispin-rovere\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian Bank ‘Criminalizing’ the Use of Cash: Poker Player Crispin Rovere"},"content":{"rendered":"

Crispin Rovere, an Australian<\/a> poker player and author, paints a grim picture of the future of banking. A recent conflict with the country\u2019s Westpac bank has led him to assert that financial institutions are beginning to automatically demonize their customers and criminalize the use of cash.<\/p>\n

\"A
A Westpac sign hangs over a bank branch’s entrance. An Australian poker player has called out the bank for freezing his accounts. (Image: News Hub)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The scathing take on Westpac\u2019s operational integrity is the result of what Rovere says is an absurd reaction on the part of the bank. He expressed shock that it could have happened.<\/p>\n

In a message he posted on several social media platforms, including Twitter, he called out the bank for freezing his accounts without warning. When he tried to find out why, the bank\u2019s fraud department refused to give him an acceptable reason. Rovere is concerned that the \u201ctotalitarian\u201d attitude might take over the financial industry completely.<\/p>\n

Westpac, Rovere in Standoff<\/h2>\n

Rovere explained that he deposited winnings from a poker<\/a> game into his Westpac account, emphasizing that the amount was essentially insignificant. He said it was \u201cway, way under\u201d the $10K threshold that financial regulators have established as the trigger for suspicious transactions.<\/p>\n

\n

Update on @Westpac<\/a> situation. This is the explanation the bank gave for seizing the accounts after a cash deposit!<\/p>\n

Thanks for your support! Together, we'll get to the bottom of this. pic.twitter.com\/JgRqvx0QvF<\/a><\/p>\n

— Crispin Rovere (@crispinrovere) July 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n