Online sportsbook legalities??
 

I've been checking out a couple online sportsbooks...

Some of them claim that it's legal and that they are a fully licensed sports books based in Nevada.

I don't see how knowingly taking bets from people outside of state lines would be legal?

THey don't offer any information as to why they feel its legal either.

Is there some loophole or something in Nevada that allows someone to setup a online sportsbook?

it's definitely not legal.

This should help you out http://www.firstamendment.com/casino.php3

Exerpt from that article:

"The principles articulated in that opinion appear to criminalize virtually any close affiliation with an online casino that targets customers in the U.S. The linchpin of the Cohen decision is the online casino?s marketing to potential users in America. Most online casino sites similarly market to potential players in the United States and every other country. Given the current technological limitations of Internet technology, it may well be impossible to exclude United States residents from any Web-based marketing program. While exclusion of actual players from the U.S. may be somewhat more workable, any such system is certainly not foolproof, and it is not clear that player exclusions would create a defense to criminal prosecution.

If the analysis in the Cohen case is accepted by other courts, it could spell the death knell for participation in the online gaming industry in the United States absent legislation approving it. Even affiliate promotion of casino websites under the court?s reasoning could result in criminal sanctions against the unsuspecting webmaster. While the First Amendment is implicated by an all-out ban on casino advertising, the concerns created by this decision are real."

Good article.. I got this from it:


Interestingly, the first state to legalize Internet gambling, Nevada, was also the first to outlaw the activity. Making or accepting a wager over the Internet is now, by statute, a crime in Nevada unless the operator is one of the state?s licensees.

These companies claim to be licensed -- so I guess that makes them legal. At least at the STATE level.

But I wonder if it conflicts with Federal laws?

Sort of like the medicinal marijunana laws in California.

I guess that was old news.

Now there is a "Internet Wagering Notice" on the Nevada Gaming Commission website that sais:


To me that sounds like they don't license online wagering anymore.

definitely not legal