Introduction
The conclusions in the chart below are primarily based on the text of the state criminal statutes and thus are only educated guesses in many cases. There is relatively little decided case law on gambling infractions. I suppose this is because of the seemingly prevalent legislative (and law enforcement?) view that such crimes are pretty small potatoes. I encourage readers of this website to Contact me with corrections, objections and observations. Before you take any action in reliance on this chart you should get up to date and to the point advice from a local attorney.
The five topics covered on a state-by-state basis in the chart are:
<DIR class=nospace><LI>Skill Disregarded: This question goes to whether the state's law defines gambling in the context of the "skill vs. chance" and, if so, whether the element of skill is disregarded if an element of chance is present. In a large number of states the statute is like that in Alabama, which criminalizes "contests of chance" where "the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that skill of the contestants may also be a factor therein." See Alabama. An argument can certainly be made that such language could be interpreted to call for the traditional balancing test. An extended discussion of skill versus chance will be included in the near future.
<LI>Social Gambling Allowed: The question here is whether playing for money in a purely social context is allowed, or at least probably legally overlooked. A "social context" usually means that no player or other person, like a bookie or the host of the game, makes or earns anything other than as, and on an equal footing with, a mere player in the contest or game.
<LI>Misdemeanor vs. Felony: What constitutes a "misdemeanor" versus a "felony" is not consistent in all states. Some states distinguish on the basis of the place of possible incarceration. That is, possible sentencing to a city or county jail versus sentencing to a state penitentiary defines the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in some jurisdictions. Most states, however, draw the distinction based on the term of the possible sentence, with a punishment of one year or less being a misdemeanor and a longer possible sentence defining a felony. The latter approach in the used in compiling the chart.
<LI>Simple vs. Aggravated: The distinction between "simple" and "aggravated" gambling is also one that varies from state to state. That terminology may not be used in a state's criminal law at all. It may be phrased as mere "gambling" versus "professional gambling." It may come into play only based on second or third violations of a given criminal prohibition. The approach used in compiling the chart is generally based on the presence of professional gambling, which involves those who make money on the contest or game other than as and on an equal footing with a mere player.
<LI>Express Internet Prohibition: The response to this question goes to whether a state has adopted a specific law criminalizing the offering and/or playing of gambling games offered over the Internet. The fact that a state has not passed a specific law does not make participation in or offering of gambling over the Internet legal under the laws of that state. The question is a complex one and will be the subject of a future article.
</DIR>
The conclusions in the chart below are primarily based on the text of the state criminal statutes and thus are only educated guesses in many cases. There is relatively little decided case law on gambling infractions. I suppose this is because of the seemingly prevalent legislative (and law enforcement?) view that such crimes are pretty small potatoes. I encourage readers of this website to Contact me with corrections, objections and observations. Before you take any action in reliance on this chart you should get up to date and to the point advice from a local attorney.
The five topics covered on a state-by-state basis in the chart are:
<DIR class=nospace><LI>Skill Disregarded: This question goes to whether the state's law defines gambling in the context of the "skill vs. chance" and, if so, whether the element of skill is disregarded if an element of chance is present. In a large number of states the statute is like that in Alabama, which criminalizes "contests of chance" where "the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that skill of the contestants may also be a factor therein." See Alabama. An argument can certainly be made that such language could be interpreted to call for the traditional balancing test. An extended discussion of skill versus chance will be included in the near future.
<LI>Social Gambling Allowed: The question here is whether playing for money in a purely social context is allowed, or at least probably legally overlooked. A "social context" usually means that no player or other person, like a bookie or the host of the game, makes or earns anything other than as, and on an equal footing with, a mere player in the contest or game.
<LI>Misdemeanor vs. Felony: What constitutes a "misdemeanor" versus a "felony" is not consistent in all states. Some states distinguish on the basis of the place of possible incarceration. That is, possible sentencing to a city or county jail versus sentencing to a state penitentiary defines the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in some jurisdictions. Most states, however, draw the distinction based on the term of the possible sentence, with a punishment of one year or less being a misdemeanor and a longer possible sentence defining a felony. The latter approach in the used in compiling the chart.
<LI>Simple vs. Aggravated: The distinction between "simple" and "aggravated" gambling is also one that varies from state to state. That terminology may not be used in a state's criminal law at all. It may be phrased as mere "gambling" versus "professional gambling." It may come into play only based on second or third violations of a given criminal prohibition. The approach used in compiling the chart is generally based on the presence of professional gambling, which involves those who make money on the contest or game other than as and on an equal footing with a mere player.
<LI>Express Internet Prohibition: The response to this question goes to whether a state has adopted a specific law criminalizing the offering and/or playing of gambling games offered over the Internet. The fact that a state has not passed a specific law does not make participation in or offering of gambling over the Internet legal under the laws of that state. The question is a complex one and will be the subject of a future article.
</DIR>
<TABLE class=tbl-main borderColor=#000066 cellSpacing=0 width=550 border=2><!-- MSTableType="nolayout" --><CAPTION class=tbl-caption>Click on the State Name to Jump to its Gambling Statutes</CAPTION><TBODY><TR><TH class=tbl-top vAlign=bottom align=left>State</TH><TH class=tbl-top vAlign=bottom align=middle>Skill Disregarded</TH><TH class=tbl-top vAlign=bottom align=middle>Social Gambling Allowed</TH><TH class=tbl-top vAlign=bottom align=middle>Penalty for Simple Gambling</TH><TH class=tbl-top vAlign=bottom align=middle>Penalty for Aggravated Gambling </TH><TH class=tbl-top vAlign=bottom align=middle>Express Internet Prohibition </TH></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Alabama</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Alaska</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Arizona</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Arkansas</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Petty</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>California</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Colorado</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Petty</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Connecticut</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Delaware</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Dist. of Columbia</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Probably</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Florida</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>$10 Limit (1)</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Georgia</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Hawaii</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Idaho</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No(2)</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Illinois</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Indiana</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Iowa</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Kansas</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Kentucky</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Louisiana</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Maine</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom align=left>State</TH><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom align=middle>Skill Disregarded</TH><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom align=middle>Social Gambling Allowed</TH><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom align=middle>Penalty for Simple Gambling </TH><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom>Penalty for Aggravated Gambling </TH><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom>Express Internet Prohibition </TH></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Maryland</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Massachusetts</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Unclear</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Michigan</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No (3)</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Minnesota</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Mississippi</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Missouri</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No </TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor (4)</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Montana</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Nebraska</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Nevada</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>New Hampshire</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>New Jersey</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No (5)</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>New Mexico</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>New York</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>North Carolina</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>North Dakota</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes (6)</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Ohio</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Oklahoma</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Oregon</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Pennsylvania</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Unclear</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Rhode Island</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>South Carolina</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>South Dakota</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes (7)</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Tennessee</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom align=left>State</TH><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom align=middle>Skill Disregarded</TH><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom align=middle>Social Gambling Allowed</TH><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom align=middle>Penalty for Simple Gambling </TH><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom>Penalty for Aggravated Gambling </TH><TH class=tbl-row-even-hdr vAlign=bottom>Express Internet Prohibition </TH></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Texas</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Utah</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Vermont</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Fine Only</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Virginia</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Washington</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>West Virginia</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Wisconsin</TH><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Wyoming</TH><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Yes</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Misdemeanor</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>Felony</TD><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>No</TD></TR><TR><TH class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=bottom align=left colSpan=6>Footnotes:</TH></TR><TR><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=bottom align=left colSpan=6>(1) Florida authorized licensed card rooms to offer poker limits of $2 per bet, with a limit of 3 raises per betting round, effective July 1, 2003. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=bottom align=left colSpan=6>(2) Iowa permits social gambling in licensed facilities. No player may win or lose more than $50 or other consideration equivalent thereto in all games and activities at any one time during any period of twenty-four consecutive hours or over that entire period. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=bottom align=left colSpan=6>(3) Michigan has exceptions for Senior citizens homes and state fairs.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=bottom align=left colSpan=6>(4) Missouri's felony penalty applies only to a "professional gambler" as defined.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=bottom align=left colSpan=6>(5) Senate Bill 1013 pending in the New Jersey legislature seeks to outlaw online gambling.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tbl-row-even vAlign=bottom align=left colSpan=6>(6) North Dakota has a limitation of $25 per individual hand, game or event. Betting over $25 is an infraction and it becomes a misdemeanor when the amount exceeds $500.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tbl-row-odd vAlign=bottom align=left colSpan=6>(7) South Dakota's prohibition applies to those in the "gambling business</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
