Poker player suspected of tax evasion using cryptocurrency
Poker player suspected of tax evasion using cryptocurrency
Authorities allege Gabi Livshitz concealed $419,000 in winnings through unreported foreign accounts.
Gabi Livshitz, a professional poker player who competes in international tournaments, is suspected of evading at least 1.5 million shekels ($419,000) in income between 2019 and 2022. Authorities allege this was done through the use of cryptocurrencies and unreported accounts in the United States, Russia, and the Czech Republic.
Livshitz was questioned on Tuesday at the Tax Authority office in Jerusalem following a search of his home. He was subsequently released under restrictive conditions, including a prohibition on leaving the country and the posting of guarantees and deposits totaling 530,000 shekels ($148,000).
According to the request for release under restrictive conditions, submitted Wednesday to the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, "Livshitz participates in poker games worldwide, primarily via the Internet. He undertook various illegitimate actions to evade taxes and failed to report his full income."
The tax authority further alleges that Livshitz used cryptocurrencies to participate in tournaments and to collect winnings that were not fully reported to tax authorities. Additionally, he is accused of using currency exchange services to convert his winnings and failing to disclose foreign bank accounts in the United States, the Czech Republic, and Russia. The authority claims he also withheld information about his full income from his tax representative.
