online sports betting and the law

[sbu97]

I was wondering if anyone knew of any resources where I could determine if online sports betting is legal. Just because it "occurs" at an off-shore betting site doesn't neccessarily mean that US law doesn't apply. I used to bet on football a lot when I lived in Nevada, but now I live elsewhere and would like to do so again. I think this area of the law is unsettled, and I certainly don't want to be the test case. Any ideas on where to look?

Its technically illegal, but so is jumping in puddles in California said some site like dumblaws.com or something.
What im saying is dont worry about it so many people do it that its not something they can track or go after.

btw one time my friend was trying to send money to some random guy in venezuela using western union for a online betting account and for some reason he told them what its for and they said it was illegal so thats my only source.

[sublime]

dont waste your time worrying about it.

there are some papers on it you can read, but thats what you are going to summize if you research it enough.

[craig r]

[ QUOTE ]
dont waste your time worrying about it.

there are some papers on it you can read, but thats what you are going to summize if you research it enough.

[/ QUOTE ]

They let you use a computer in prison? Wait, you aren't in prison! I bet (not online though) you are working for the FBI now and trying to "entrap" people.

craig

[Indiana]

Dont give a chit about law. And IRS go phuck urself. I'm a republican goddammit. Ahhhh, after getting that off my chest I should say that the feds aint gonna screw with online gaming so dont sweat it.

Indy

[MookieBlaylock]

You are probably better off wagering online than with a bookie.

[fnurt]

[ QUOTE ]
I was wondering if anyone knew of any resources where I could determine if online sports betting is legal. Just because it "occurs" at an off-shore betting site doesn't neccessarily mean that US law doesn't apply. I used to bet on football a lot when I lived in Nevada, but now I live elsewhere and would like to do so again. I think this area of the law is unsettled, and I certainly don't want to be the test case. Any ideas on where to look?

[/ QUOTE ]

Internet sports betting is a felony under 18 U.S.C. 1084, the Wire Act.

Republicans have repeatedly tried to amend the law to include all forms of online gambling (most recently, Sen. Kyl (R-AZ) did so just a few weeks ago) but have been unsuccessful to date. Sports betting, though, is already illegal.

[youtalkfunny]

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Internet sports betting is a felony under 18 U.S.C. 1084, the Wire Act.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure that the wire act outlaws bookmaking, not placing bets.

In the history of the United States, one man has been arrested and charged for placing bets on the internet. The cops told him they only raided his house because they got a tip that he was a bookmaker. When they discovered that he was not a bookie, they wanted to let him go, but it was his bad luck that he lived in a state (SD) that specifically prohibited "making bets over $500", a misdemeanor.

So unless your bank drops a dime on you, I wouldn't worry about it.

[tech]

[ QUOTE ]
Internet sports betting is a felony under 18 U.S.C. 1084, the Wire Act.


[/ QUOTE ]

That is debatable. The Wire Act only applies to those "in the business of betting or wagering." Thus far that has been interpreted as applying only to site operators, not to individual bettors.