Indiana state bookies confiscate non-sanctioned Superbowl bets

[rambone]

The gaming laws in this state are absurd. Playing games for money is illegal in our state unless the government gets their cut.

Blow all your money in a casino, great.
Play the state lottery, great.
Scratch off tickets, great.
Play cards with your friends in your basement, go to jail.
Buy a square in a football score pool, go to jail.

So the state bookies got wind of some lawless Hoosiers entering Superbowl pools, which did not allow them to get their cut. They sent their muscle over to confiscate the whole pot. Everyone who bought a square - 400 people - could go to jail.

Schererville bar charged with illegal gambling on Super Bowl

 

[maxmayhem]

This isnt a house but a business

 

[singlestacksig]

every state requires a gaming licenes.

 

[steveh_131]

Are we so jaded that we aren't bothered by people being prosecuted and having their money stolen for participating in a superbowl betting pool?

I'm bothered by it.

 

[HDSilvrStreak]

I think over $200,000 is a bit different than your typical office pool. Also, the article doesn't say, but if the bar kept a cut for processing, that makes it highly illegal.

And no, you won't get arrested for having a poker game in your basement. Unless of course, the house is again taking a cut, which makes it illegal.

 

[IndyDave1776]

One has to wonder why the only difference separating the legal from the illegal is the state making money from it. While I do not gamble, I have to wonder why the state should be concerned over how people use their own money which has already been taxed.

 

[mike8170]

Wait until the NCAA basketball tournaments start.

 

[Liberty1911]

One has to wonder why the only difference separating the legal from the illegal is the state making money from it. While I do not gamble, I have to wonder why the state should be concerned over how people use their own money which has already been taxed.

As always, good point. I don't gamble either, not even lottery tickets. But I don't see why anyone cares how people spend their money. It looks like the state wants their cut and is willing to use force to ensure they get it.