Gambling In the USA

[goodison1234]

I currently work for a major bookmakers and would have sketchy plans to move to the US for a while. I have very specialised skills within the industry and would be interested to find out which US states allow Sportsbook gambling. As far as I can see there are strict laws in the US with gambling. Obviously Las Vegas is permitted casinos, and many American citizens bet over the internet. But do any states have legalised Sports betting setups? I was led to believe Washington DC, specifically the District of Columbus allowed such gambling.

Does anyone know anything regarding this matter, or can point me to some relevant info online? I always assumed the likes of Ladbrokes were established in a few states.

Any info would be appreciated, Alex.

[Dingoeater]

Hi Alex,

As you're obviously aware gambling laws vary from state to state because it is the individual state that regulates gambling. A complete breakdown of the law state-by-state can be found here: http://www.gambling-law-us.com/ Generally gambling offences are misdemeanors and carry light penalties. M.ost states have some form of legalised gambling but only within sports venues such as horse and dog racetracks. I surprised my host when first visiting the US after I asked where the local bookmaker was and I was informed it was illegal.

Internet gambling has proved jurisdictionally problematic for the US states with websites offering bookmaking services to Americans in US dollars being located in jurisdictions outside the US, the Caymans and Panama being favourites. Technically however there are generally no US laws against offshore websites taking business from US citizens. As far as I know no states have legalised online gambling, though North Dakota had a bill which failed that sought to legalise online poker. Three states have gone so far as to enact law forbidding citizens to gamble outside the state: California, Louisiana and surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly) Nevada. However to the best of my knowledge no prosecutions have been made under these laws.

To conclude: there is no specific law sanctioning online sports betting and only three states have laws forbidding it, and as I say, no prosecutions have been made. Might I suggest you relocate to, say, Panama, where your skills might benefit you more :D

[Dingoeater]

Actually Alex I should have made one clarification, Indian reservations are subject to somewhat different regulatory control and Indian casinos do exist. I am not an expert in this however and I do not know how they are regulated of whether there is, as a result, a Mohawk sports book or somesuch.

[goodison1234]

Thanks for the info Dingoeater!