Federal Laws That Prohibit Online Gambling
Having a great time playing at an online gambling site can be exciting. However, there are laws that prohibit illegal Internet gambling, and it is a crime to place bets on the Internet. In addition to state laws, there are federal criminal statutes that can be used to prosecute illegal Internet gambling. These statutes include the Wire Act, the Illegal Gambling Business Act, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) provisions.
The Wire Act prohibits gambling on sporting events and contests. It also prohibits facilitating or promoting unlawful gambling. It also prohibits money laundering and facilitating illegal gambling on interstate commerce. It also requires a gambling business owner to have gross revenue of at least two thousand dollars per day. The owner of an illegal gambling business can be fined for up to five years. It is also illegal to accept financial instruments from a person who is a participant in illegal Internet bets.
The Illegal Gambling Business Act prohibits the running of a gambling business, including a website. An illegal gambling business owner must be able to demonstrate that the business has been in operation for at least thirty days. The owner of an illegal gambling business can face fines and imprisonment. This title also prohibits the use of gambling devices to facilitate gambling.
The Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organization (RICO) provisions prohibit the use of a gambling business to commit fraud. This title also prohibits money laundering, which is defined as the evasion of taxes by the use of illegal gambling proceeds. It also requires the use of appropriate data security standards.
The Travel Act also prohibits the promotion or facilitation of illegal gambling on interstate commerce or international shipments. The Travel Act also prohibits facilitating or promoting unlawful Internet gambling. It also prohibits money laundering and the use of gambling facilities to disguise the identity of a person. It also prohibits facilitating illegal Internet gambling by using common carriers, including the Internet. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has jurisdiction over common carriers. The FCC can discontinue providing or leasing facilities. It can also suspend or revoke a license.
The US Department of Justice has determined that real money casino games are legal. However, there are cases where the Department of Justice has charged Internet poker operators with violations of the federal criminal statutes listed above. One such case involved a company called K23 Group Financial Services. This company operated an online poker site, and was charged with UIGEA violations. The United States marshals seized $3.2 million from the company. The company agreed to pay a fine of 4.2 million to launch a public service campaign against illegal Internet gambling.
The Internet has provided a high-speed, instant gratification experience for many people. However, the thrill of gambling can also sweep players away from setting limits. Fortunately, there are many supports available to help people with gambling problems. Most online gaming sites have policies and tools available to help responsible players.