usually I use western union if its < 1000 and I won't do more then 2 a month .....think most people that get blacklisted are doing multiple per week (especially since its coming from costa rica)
I deposited around 4-5k into my checking account when I was getting checks from 5dimes last year and I didn't have any IRS issues....but I also get my work check deposited into the same account .......now if you're winning 20k a year then I would try to be a lil more discreet
I never used a check cashing but if I did I would try to find one of those latino owned joints
edit: I dabbled w/ totals some last season in hockey. Went 2-5