LA Illegal Gambling Defense Lawyer

Prohibitions against gambling have eased in the past few decades.  Though gambling was once limited to a trip to Las Vegas for most Californians, legalized gambling now has a significant presence in and around Los Angeles County, with various Indian Casinos in the surrounding communities and casinos like the Hustler Casino and Hollywood Park Casino in Los Angeles.  The term "gambling" can involve anything from casinos, card games, street craps games, sports wagers, dog/horse races, and more.  Many instances of gambling are prohibited by California state law under Penal Code Sections 330-337.

Traditional, Vegas-style casinos are only permitted on Indian reservations.  Other betting can be legal, so long as the betting is set up in a lawful manner.  What is required is that those gambling must be betting against each other, not against the house.  This applies to horse races, card clubs (who may advertise themselves as "casinos") and more.  For example, at a race track, someone betting on a particular horse is not betting against the track, but rather betting in a pool with others who are betting on other horses.  Similarly, in a game of poker, the players must be betting against each other, not against the house or the dealer.  Additionally, charitable gaming (like a church bingo night, for example) and the state run lottery are generally exempt from gambling laws in California.  For charitable gambling, only bingo is permitted.  A nonprofit organization cannot circumvent gambling laws and have table games or slot machines, even if proceeds go to charity.

Despite these laws, illegal gambling operations exist in many forms.  Law enforcement in Los Angeles has targeted internet cafes where gambling is popular as well as underground blackjack, poker and dice games.  Additionally, street hustlers who play three card monte (or a variation thereof), dice, etc. can find themselves running afoul of California's gambling laws.  With betting on dog fights and cock fights, some illegal gambling cases can be punished alongside charges involving animal abuse or cruelty.

Gambling has a long and intertwined history with other crimes, including money laundering, organized crime, racketeering, extortion and more.  The state regulates gambling closely for a number of reasons, including an effort to curtail the criminal element, while also providing a strong source of tax revenue.  Most of the major casinos have done their homework with regards to compliance.  Anyone interested in starting a gambling-related business in California should consult with an attorney about the processes and procedures required to safely open, operate and maintain that business.

Some of the possible gambling-related criminal charges in California include:
PC 330 - Conduct Gaming
PC 331 - Permit Gaming
PC 332 - Obtaining money by fraud through gaming
PC 333 - Failure to appear as a witness in a gaming case
PC 337 - Receiving protection money or grant privileges
PC 337a - Accepting/Recording/Making a wager or Bookmaking
PC 337b - Bribing a player/participant to throw a sporting event or pointshaving
PC 337d - Bribing the judge of a sporting event
PC 337e - Accepting a bribe for a sporting official
PC 337f - Doping a racehorse

PC 337a, Pool selling, bookmaking, or wagering, is the most common of California illegal gambling charges.  It is a "wobbler" under California law and can be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending .  Some gambling charges are straight misdemeanors, while others may be straight felonies (which can never be reduced to misdemeanors).  If you or a loved one has been charged with any gambling-related offense, it is important to carefully look at the evidence and the charges and fight for the best possible outcome.  In addition to jail time, a conviction for gambling can affect immigration status (for non-citizens only), professional licensing (real estate license, contractor, law license, medical license, nursing license, insurance license, day care license, etc.).  Gambling defense cases require a keen attention to detail, high intelligence, and a strong desire to get a great outcome for the client.  Contact an attorney who fights hard for his clients and has a strong track record of achieving excellent results.

Contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Loncar now for a Free Consultation with a Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer.  213-375-3775.