WASHINGTON STATE SUPERBOWL PARTY POOPERS

1 February 2008

Washington State warns against online Superbowl betting


With sportsbetting sites and players alike enjoying the pre-match buzz on the upcoming Superbowl clash between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, the Washington State Gambling Commission acted the wet blanket this week, warning citizens that all online gambling is illegal in the state and - so the WSGC claims - across the United States.

Perhaps motivated by the need to channel betting into state-taxed and well protected land gambling venues, which Washington state has in abundance, the Commission issued a warning that citizens who gamble on the Internet from the privacy of their homes are committing a Class C felony punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to a $10 000 fine.

Other class C felonies include possession of child pornography and animal torture.

According to the Offshore Gaming Association, over $500 million will be bet on the Super Bowl through web sites and call centres this year. More than 60 million people will bet online on the game between the Patriots and the Giants using over 1 800 foreign-based web sites.

Adding an edge to their criminal warning, the WSGC claimed that even if players don't get caught, online gambling can be very dangerous. Washington State Gambling Commission's Susan Arland says, "Not only is it illegal, but you might win and not get paid. So you could gamble all day and throw all that money away and you have no recourse."

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa