The United States has a long history of illegal gambling in sports. Gambling scandals and political control have led to the prohibition and regulation of sports gambling in the US. Laws that connected with sports gambling along with other standards have been changing and the changes have been named “Waves”. The first of these waves was during the Colonial Period that lasted till the 1800s. The second wave came about at the end of the US Civil war till the early 20th century. The 3rd of such waves started in the Great Depression till date.
Sports gambling has long been illegal in the US. Puritan attitudes while in the Colonial era were adopted towards sports and also other gambling, possessing cards, gaming tables, dice etc. Down the line it was only allowed if it was not a trade but only innocent recreation. Early settlers had the view that gambling was only a harmless hobby. Gambling was likened to the frontier spirit as both of them involved opportunism, risk taking and high expectations.
Illegal sports betting has become linked to mobsters and organized crime in the US. Illegal sports gambling became a huge business for gang mobsters while in the 1920s and 1930s. Organized bookmaking systems were set up by organized crime all over the nation. Horse racing betting shot to popularity during this period.
In 1931 Nevada legalized casino gambling and here too organized crime took control over all the casino betting business. Mobsters controlled illegal nationwide wire services Trans America Wire and Continental Wire Service. Mobsters such as infamous Al Capone put in place their own wire services to stop gamblers from taking any benefit from delays by making sure they posted winning wagers before formal results were out.
The Federal Government of the US cracked upon mobsters and organized crime during the 1950s and drove them out of the Nevada Casino gambling industry. But this did not deter the organized crime mobsters who took over illegal bookmaking. Law Enforcement authorities do acknowledge that independent bookies are functioning within the nation but it is obvious that organized crime still manages all the big bucks in betting.
Animal fights also have a long history the United States despite the not so good reputation it has. Most animal fights include dog fights and cock fights which are today favored by street gangs and large numbers of weapons and cash are usually present at the time of these fights.
History of illegal gambling in sports uncovers that cockfighting was illegal and banned by nearly all states in the US during the 1800s. It remains illegal currently in 48 states. Legal issues in Minnesota makes any king of gambling bet Illegal. Thus any type of card game where you’ve got to spend to take part in a game and have possibilities to win cash is a “bet” and thus also considered to be illegal gambling. It is important to keep in mind that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 only deals with the funding of internet gambling not the actual act of betting.