What Is the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992?The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 is a federal statute that prohibits any state or person acting pursuant to the law of a state government agency from sponsoring, operating, promoting, or authorizing any gambling scheme based on games played by amateur or professional athletes. What Kinds of Sports Does the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act Relate to?As it says, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act prohibits gambling on any professional and amateur sports. This includes: - Professional sports
- College sports
- The Olympics
It does not apply to: - Pari-mutuel betting such as horse and dog races
- Jai-Alai
Are All Forms of Sports Betting Illegal?
For the most part, yes. Because the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act is a federal statute, it applies to every state in the country. Even states that previously held legal lotteries based on professional and amateur sports are prohibited by the Act from holding further gambling on the outcomes of sports games. The only place where you can legally place bets and gamble on professional and amateur sports is in Nevada. Does the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act Prohibit Me from Betting on Sports with My Friends?
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act primarily affects state run gambling. It prohibits states from using gambling schemes based on professional and amateur sports to raise funds for the state. Whether it is legal for you and your friends to gamble on a sports game will depend primarily on your individual state's laws. Should I Consult a Lawyer?If you have questions about the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, you may want to consult a lawyer experienced in gaming law. An experienced gaming law lawyer will be able to explain the law and how it affects your rights. |
