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Author Topic: Pot games and brackets  (Read 2089 times)

BrianCRX90

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Pot games and brackets
« on: July 20, 2008, 03:13:43 PM »
Hi, I'm questioning the legality of brackets during leagues/tournaments and pot games. Pot games being on the side.
I participate in brackets in league and sometimes afterwards I'll go for 5 dollars scratch a game, sometimes more or less.
I doubt the FBI would be barging inside the alley but I wonder has anyone got busted for this? Have you ever had a manager tell people "no gambling?" After all, that is what it is.
I never asked why but if the house knows we are doing open play bowling and doing "pot games" they won't except free games, only league rates with cash.
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leftyinsnellville

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Re: Pot games and brackets
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2008, 11:19:47 PM »
Participation in pots and brackets isn't gambling...it's wagering.  Restrictions against gambling forbid games of chance.  As skill is involved in bowling, it is perfectly legal.  And "no" poker is not a game of skill as the cards that come to each player are by chance (although the art of bluffing is by all means a skill!)
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nextbowler

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Re: Pot games and brackets
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2008, 11:48:23 PM »
Your interpretation is not correct.  Wagering is simply betting on the
outcome of an event.
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satwater

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Re: Pot games and brackets
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2008, 12:56:50 AM »
as long as the house is getting paid for lineage (or alcohol/snack bar) and you aren't causing trouble or breaking stuff, they really don't care
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shelley

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Re: Pot games and brackets
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2008, 07:08:50 AM »
Whatever the legal definition of wagering is, my understanding is the same as lefty's: bowling is a game of skill, not a game of chance, so it's legal.  Many leagues and houses have put an end to 50/50 raffles because it's considered gambling, so someone somewhere is looking at bowling with their no-gambling eye.

Now everyone here knows just how much skill and chance really is in bowling, but it's not considered a chance game the way something like poker or craps is.

SH
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leftyinsnellville

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Re: Pot games and brackets
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2008, 07:22:15 AM »
quote:
Your interpretation is not correct.  Wagering is simply betting on the
outcome of an event.


I graduated from law school, worked several years as a prosecuting attorney, interpreted several statutes which prohibited gambling, and issued dozens of opinions to local charities when they inquired if their fundraising events would be a prohibited form of gambling.  What's your authority?
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220...221...whatever it takes.
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n00dlejester

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Re: Pot games and brackets
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2008, 09:49:12 AM »
quote:
quote:
Your interpretation is not correct.  Wagering is simply betting on the
outcome of an event.


I graduated from law school, worked several years as a prosecuting attorney, interpreted several statutes which prohibited gambling, and issued dozens of opinions to local charities when they inquired if their fundraising events would be a prohibited form of gambling.  What's your authority?
--------------------
220...221...whatever it takes.


Owned
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Obviously, you aren't a golfer.
Check out this blog
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"This is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules."

Nicanor

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Re: Pot games and brackets
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2008, 09:49:20 AM »
I was in the Navy in VA a few years back and a couple of buddies and I were shooting pool for a dollar a game. We've shot there many times with many other shooters. So one night we're shooting for a dollar and to our surprise get arrested for gambling.  One of the shooters was an undercover policemen.  A night in jail and a $40 fine and we were let go.  But pool is a game of skill.

The undercover officer was there because he had a tip that the waitress was making a little extra money under the table, if you know what I mean, but must have been tipped off, so he got in our game.


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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)
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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

DanH78

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Re: Pot games and brackets
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2008, 10:17:57 AM »
quote:
Participation in pots and brackets isn't gambling...it's wagering.  Restrictions against gambling forbid games of chance.  As skill is involved in bowling, it is perfectly legal.  And "no" poker is not a game of skill as the cards that come to each player are by chance (although the art of bluffing is by all means a skill!)
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(formerly leftyinhawaii)


I believe this is also why it's not ok to put other people into pots and brackets without their knowledge.  It's ok to "sponsor" someone where you split the money.  But if there is no split, then you are gambling on someone else's performance, since you have no say in the outcome, it becomes a game of chance.
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It IS next year!
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jhutch769

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Re: Pot games and brackets
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2008, 10:29:49 AM »
I know people that have gone to jail for money on the table.  If you are going to pot bowl for decent amounts of money, have someone hold on to it, do not leave it on the table..

Also, check your state laws, as they can vary from state to state about gambling.
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