Just remember these laws were written in the days when organized crime ran every angle on sports betting and this was Bobby Kennedy's attempt to crimp their business. Organized crime even ran the score reporting service, they literally OWNED sports betting. Today it isn't quite the same, still some mob influence in the Northeast, but they have their hands in very little of the industry overall so from that standpoint the law was successful. Bad part is now that the law doesn't really apply to its original purpose, others that had no original hand in the law are now trying to keep it and extend it to their own benefit.
The Wire act of 1961 is obsolete, kind of like the law in Maryland that makes it illegal to play baseball without a shirt on.
Lander - Middling still counts vig or no vig. Betting with friends or anyone else face to face does not break the law as defined by the wire act. You have to use electronic means and c**** state lines to break the wire act law.
wil.
Lander - Middling still counts vig or no vig. Betting with friends or anyone else face to face does not break the law as defined by the wire act. You have to use electronic means and c**** state lines to break the wire act law.
wil.
Wil, actually middling doesn't count if you make two or more bets with no vig. Many states have laws that purely prohibit betting where one side charges a fee, ie a bookmaker. If it is person to person betting with no fee charged that is legal. I suppose that is a tough argument for prosecutors and one of the many reasons bettors don't get prosecuted. You could say "hey it was a man to man bet and I didn't charge a fee" because of course it is the bookie that is collecting the fee.
Online sports gambling is not illegal. For example, many UK books have online websites, and they are perfectly legal for UK bettors.
If you look at all drafted US federal legislation, it always states "prohibition of illegal gambling". That means it prohibits only gambling that is *already* illegal by State or local law. States laws vary greatly.
If you look at all drafted US federal legislation, it always states "prohibition of illegal gambling". That means it prohibits only gambling that is *already* illegal by State or local law. States laws vary greatly.
