Federal Online Gambling Laws
In 2006, the federal government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), prohibiting online gambling operations that involve payments for participating in wagers and bets. Violators of UIGEA may be punished with heavy fines and a maximum jail sentence of 5 years. However, there are some important exceptions to this law that could help protect you from the harsh consequences associated with an illegal online gambling conviction.
Exceptions to UIGEA Rules
According to the law, the federal crime of unlawful online gambling only extends to certain operations. The following are exempted from this law, and participants won’t be punished by the federal government. However, it is important to note that not all states allow these actions, even if they are permissible as exceptions to UIGEA rules:
- Online gambling operations solely working within a single state
- Certain interstate horseracing operations
- Fantasy sports operations
- Educational or contestant-based games that may have prizes
- Inter-tribal gambling operations for American Indian tribes
People working in these operations may not be subject to prosecution. However, gambling sites that cross state boundaries are outlawed by federal law, and some gambling operations that are localized to a single state may still be subject to the specific laws of that state.
Contact Us
If you’ve been charged with illegal online gambling, you may face very serious penalties that can drastically affect your future. We may be able to help you build a tough legal defense to fight for your freedom or to work towards more favorable sentencing. For more information about how we can assist you as a defendant, contact an attorney from Hart Powell, S.C. today at (414) 271-9595.