Opss typo: kept typing casion instead of casino. timetraveller, i'm sure every brokerage firms let you buy international stocks. their price may vary along with tax laws but i wouldn't worry about them. i use scottrade and they charge $7 for every transaction, regardless of US or foreign stocks. And i don't think anyone can argue about investment in gold because it doesn't get any safer. but at the same time, your ROI on is fairly limited as well. so, i say depending on where you are at with your life age / finance wise, you need decide how much you want to put in gold. it's all based on your risk threshold.