Zorba said:
Poker sites can tell if you use a VPN, it isn't about when you withdraw, there are ways to get your money off of poker sites without it going to your bank account, but as the greatest I thought you would have known that.
This is true. My case for example. I've played using ExpressVPN (This VPN is a little expensive but I like its KillSwitch feature where all internet traffic gets stopped immediately if the VPN disconnects so it is presumed that
poker site won't detect that your IP address suddenly changed from non-restricted to restricted area).
It's good with Stars and 888. I have actually withdrawn 5-digit tournament win from Stars to my bank and there were no issues. I have not withdrawn from 888 as I don't use it often and have not won big there. I usually deposit via transfer from other player.
Surprisingly, Party does not allow me to play and I assume it detects the VPN, or it knows that I'm playing in restricted area.
I have not used this playing in the U.S. though. Also have not used this in Australia.
So my assumption is
poker sites know that you're using VPN. It's such that they have different standards (Stars/888 allow it, Party does not -- in my case). If I try to play Stars in the U.S., I think it will stop me from playing because US jurisdiction is high profile as Stars is trying to re-enter US market (in fact, they are already operating in some states).
I feel that VPN is a viable option in Australia; just don't deposit big so even if poker sites confiscate your money, it won't be painful. Also ExpressVPN is only one VPN which offers KillSwitch mode. I'm sure other VPN softwares offer it too but for me Express VPN works quite well.
CAVEAT EMPTOR!