I want to learn about America (gambling)

[Rodgers]

Right - NOT spam etc.

This time it's a bit shorter than the rest - the topic is gambling. I really do know NOTHING about this so most of the following comes straight from the films I've seen (sorry for any accidental offence!)

1. General

Gambling is illegal in most of the US, but a few places allow it though. Now, is this a state law or federal? - if you can gamble in Nevada I guess it must be state law right? Something to do with Indian reservations being allowed to permit gambling on their land - thats how Las Vegas got started? How come Atlantic City alows it then?

2. Casinos

These are only found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City (a kind of run down beach resort - near Atlanta?). Nowhere else is allowed to open casinos. You have to be over 21 to enter and they are full of slot machines (manned by fat middle aged women with huge bucketc of change. Some machines will give prizes like cars and other big stuff), roulette and "craps" (where you have to roll a 7 with 2 dice or something). Good looking women are often asked to roll the dice at craps tables "for luck". Casinos used to be run by the Mafia but now it's big business. There are loads of other entertainments tacked onto them - singers (Elvis) and magicians (Seigfried and Roy - didn't one get killed by one of their tigers?) and other stuff (WHO is Wayne Newton?)

3. Sports Betting

The only sport you can gamble on legally is horse racing and that has to be done at the track itself - "off track betting" is not allowed. Most other gambling is done via small time criminals or the mafia? (that really is a total wild guess!). This is called "playing the numbers". Husbands often gamble but must keep it a secret from their wives, who dont approve.

4. State Lotteries

These pay out HUGE sums - $100 million and suchlike but are set up so they only pay out occaisonally - there isn't guaranteed to be a winner every time? You have to 18 to play these? Often redneck families win these and lose the winning ticket in a comically tragic way.

Thats all I know - pathetic eh?

Sorry if these are filling up the board - at the time of posting all my other America threads looked to have gone pretty dormant.

 

[Becka]

Originally posted by Rodgers
4. State Lotteries

These pay out HUGE sums - $100 million and suchlike but are set up so they only pay out occaisonally - there isn't guaranteed to be a winner every time? You have to 18 to play these? Often redneck families win these and lose the winning ticket in a comically tragic way.

Well, the Texas lottery pays about $4 million, but if nobody wins (and sometimes nobody wins) they increase the jackpot, and just keep adding and adding so sometimes the jackpots can become quite large.
In Texas, you can have a "cash option", which is (I think) where they just give a large sum (but not the whole sum) of money up front, and that's all you get. No more.
There's also another option where you get payments of the whole jackpot over a number of years (not sure how many or on what basis it is paid) sans taxes, of couse, in both options.

It's different for different states, though. And some states are involved in "Powerball", but I don't know much about that, since Texas isn't involved.

And I haven't heard of anybody losing the ticket yet, but you never know.

Thats all I know - pathetic eh?

Sorry if these are filling up the board - at the time of posting all my other America threads looked to have gone pretty dormant.

I like these questions, Rodgers.

 

[Rodgers]

I remember there was some suggestion that this country's National Lottery should pay out in installments instead of lump sums - which I though pretty sensible - but it got nowhere. Here the jckpots are around £3-4 million twice a week. But it's losing popularity and the jackpots, therefore, are getting smaller.

 

[Rodgers]

"I like these questions, Rodgers."

Thanks Becka!

Sorry about two posts in a row

 

[Dralix]

Originally posted by Becka
It's different for different states, though. And some states are involved in "Powerball", but I don't know much about that, since Texas isn't involved.

I don't think the powerball is much different than the average state lottery. It's just more famous for very large jackpots.

But don't take my word for it, I don't play those things.

 

[Dralix]

Originally posted by Rodgers
2. Casinos

These are only found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City (a kind of run down beach resort - near Atlanta?). Nowhere else is allowed to open casinos. You have to be over 21 to enter and they are full of slot machines (manned by fat middle aged women with huge bucketc of change. Some machines will give prizes like cars and other big stuff), roulette and "craps" (where you have to roll a 7 with 2 dice or something). Good looking women are often asked to roll the dice at craps tables "for luck". Casinos used to be run by the Mafia but now it's big business. There are loads of other entertainments tacked onto them - singers (Elvis) and magicians (Seigfried and Roy - didn't one get killed by one of their tigers?) and other stuff (WHO is Wayne Newton?)

A couple of things wrong here. There are casinos in other parts of Nevada (eg. Reno, Laughlin), a few in Phoenix, and other places I'm sure. To be completely honest, I don't understand the laws governing casinos, but I think it is legal in Nevada, like you said, and on Indian Reservations ("Indian Gaming - It's working!") Atlantic City is in New Jersey, and I'm not sure why casinos are allowed there. Maybe gambling is legal in New Jersey too.

Originally posted by Rodgers

3. Sports Betting

The only sport you can gamble on legally is horse racing and that has to be done at the track itself - "off track betting" is not allowed.

Off track betting is allowed, at least here in Phoenix, on horses and dogs as well. We also have a racetrack that, if memory serves, has pig, ostrich and other racing. But I've never been there, and don't know if betting is involved.

 

[Richard III]

You can also bet on various sports through Nevada, for example. But the reason I'm writing in is to chuckle at the silly americans... In Canada, lottery winnings are not taxable. Which is only fair, when you consider that purchase of a lottery ticket is a tax in the first place!

R.III

 

[Chris85]

Originally posted by Rodgers
2. Casinos

These are only found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City (a kind of run down beach resort - near Atlanta?). Nowhere else is allowed to open casinos. You have to be over 21 to enter and they are full of slot machines (manned by fat middle aged women with huge bucketc of change. Some machines will give prizes like cars and other big stuff), roulette and "craps" (where you have to roll a 7 with 2 dice or something). Good looking women are often asked to roll the dice at craps tables "for luck". Casinos used to be run by the Mafia but now it's big business. There are loads of other entertainments tacked onto them - singers (Elvis) and magicians (Seigfried and Roy - didn't one get killed by one of their tigers?) and other stuff (WHO is Wayne Newton?)

Casinos are found in many parts of the country, but not Nebraska. Across the Missouri River in Iowa they do and at Council Bluffs which is directly across from Omaha, they have 3 giant casinos slapped up right on the border . Since Nebraska doesn't have legalized gambling, the state loses about $80 million a year to Iowa casinos. You only have to be 19 to gamble in Iowa which I'm not old enough to . From what I hear, the slot machines are riddled with old woman. Yes, they're usually is several big name entertainers performing at the casinos every weekend.

4. State Lotteries

These pay out HUGE sums - $100 million and suchlike but are set up so they only pay out occaisonally - there isn't guaranteed to be a winner every time? You have to 18 to play these? Often redneck families win these and lose the winning ticket in a comically tragic way.

There are several lotteries that are played in regions nationwide like Powerball and the Big Game that occassionally get a jackpot of over $100 million, because the odds of winning are like 1 in 60 million. Then there are state lotteries that don't give up quite a large jackpot (usually $25,000 to $1 million) that use the ticket sales to fund state programs (like in Nebraska it helps fund State Parks and Education).

 

[knowltok2]

Okay:

1. I believe that some of the laws are actually local. Riverboat casinos are opening up more and more across the country. There are also gambling boats that go out into the ocean to be outside the US. Indian reservations are an exception in certain states. Something to do with the treaties and stuff.

2. Casinos are found most places that there is legalized gambling. Some are better than others though. Vegas is the capital of gambling and has the best casinos. In addition to slots there is roullete, craps, blackjack (21), baccarat, and various forms of poker. There is also a numbers game called keno. You are correct about the maffia's involvement. I have never seen a good looking lady handed the dice, but then again, I don't play craps. And yes, there is a lot of other entertainment. Wayne Newton is a famous Las Vegas singer. He is a fixture there as opposed to acts that just stop by occasionally. He has also been there longer than anyone else currently playing at Las Vegas.

3. Incorrect. You can gamble on all types of sporting events at casinos with a 'sports book'. You name the sport, you can bet on it. Off track betting refers to states without legalized gambling other than horseracing. In those areas it is only legal to bet at the track. You are correct to an extent on the illegal gambling. Some of it is normal people who happen to set up 'pools' and such. Most people behind illegal gambling though are shady characters, though not always mafia. It depends on the wives if they are angry or are participating.

4. Others have handled this one for the most part. Don't know about the rednecks loosing tickets, but often you get the dumbsh!ts who win $50M and then say, "Yep, I'm going to keep working. Gotta keep those benefits."


Keep up the posts. I love them.

 

[Padma]

Gambling laws are controlled at the state and local level. Nevada allows gambling. There are slot machines (at least) everywhere you go. (I was driving through the state a few years ago and stopped for gas. sure enough, there were two nickel slot machines between the door and the cash register. ) Many years ago, Atlantic City decided to allow gambling/casinos, and New Jersey said ... okay. Other states have recently jumped onthe bandwagon, so to speak. For instance, Iowa (just across the river from where I'm sitting) passed a gambling law a few years back, to allow "riverboat" gambling. The casinos are actually riverboats, and must "cruise" the river periodically (one hour once a month?) to keep their license.

Powerball is actually a multi-state lottery, which is why the jackpots can get so huge. Plus, it is possible that there is no jackpot winner, so the money gets "rolled over" into the next round of play. If it goes a month without a winner, the jackpots can get incredible.

Anyway, that's about the extent of my knowledge (?) on this subject, as I don't gamble very much.

 

[NY Hoya]

There are Casinos all over the place these days. Connecticut has a couple of large ones on Indian reservations. Mississippi has a few. A lot of the states on the Mississippi river have riverboat casinos, most of which seem to stay stationary. Florida has casino boats that come into port to pick up passengers and then travel out to sea a couple of miles where it's legal. Colorado has a few casinos, about an hour west of Denver. California has some casinos on Indian reservations. Like I said, they're really all over the place. I think it all depends on state law at this point.

The mob still influences many casinos in Las Vegas and Atlatic City. I think that they still indirectly own a few.

Atlantic City is no longer run down.

Las Vegas allows all types of sports betting. It is illegal elsewhere (with the exception of OTB) but that doesn't mean people don't do it.

 

[Rodgers]

I kinda thought I was on shaky ground saying there was no gambling allowed except in LV, AC and at racetracks but I'm suprised it's so widespread, especially the slot machines.

Over here you can gamble at 18 but you can buy a national lottery ticket or scratch card at 16. There are Casinos in most major towns (Local Councils and Magistrates who issue the licences being the major obstacle to more of them opening. Every year there is talk of trying to turn Blackpool - a fairly run down seaside town - into an English version of Atlantic City).

On just about every high street there is a licenced betting shop where you can bet on just about anything they're prepared to give you odds on. In every pub there will be a few slot machines - these are found in alsorts of places - taxi offices, train stations etc but are restricted as to the maximum jackpot (about £16 in public places. In a casino or in a private club they can be as high as £200 - not sure there is even a ceiling in such places).

Amazingly there are people who get addicted to playing these things (the £16 machines!) - probably every second or third pub you go in will have one of these tragic figures playing the machine all day (sometimes with a long suffering girlfriend sat on a stool next to him watching )

Horse racing and dog racing tracks have bookmakers at them they are either private concerns - who offer decent odds for higher stakes or there is Tote betting. This invloves poorer odds but stakes can be very low (down to 50p or less) - the profits made are (partially) redirected towards helping tracks stay open, look after retired horses and dogs etc.

Internet gambling is getting more popular with most of the major bookmakers offering such services.

Is there anyone who lives in an area of America where there are NO gambling opportunities - have you ever used the "shady characters" or mafiosi to bet with?

 

[Richard III]

Originally posted by NY Hoya
Atlantic City is no longer run down.

Have you been? Would you recommend it?

R.III

 

[D.Shaffer]

I beleive that, technically, Indian reservations are considered 'foreign soil' and thus not under US jurisdiction. That's how it's been explained to me anyways.

 

[Serutan]

Originally posted by D.Shaffer
I beleive that, technically, Indian reservations are considered 'foreign soil' and thus not under US jurisdiction. That's how it's been explained to me anyways.

That's not quite true. I don't pretend to understand how
it really works, but I do know that both the feds and state have some influence. For example, the Arizona Indian tribes had to,
in essence, negotiate a treaty (but it was called a "compact") so they could build casinos. And boy, did they ever build them!

From what I've seen, Atlantic City is really glitzy around the
casinos. Everything else is a slum.

 

[BlueMonday]

The Indian thing is actually quite an interesting little pickle. Although they are not considered foriegn soil or independant states, Federal law grants them sovereignty. This allows them to exempt from state and federal taxes, police their own reservations, and create whatever laws they want. Apart from what some governors think, the State has absolutely no power over them. In fact, there is only one entity in the entire US that has the power to intervene in Indian Affairs: the US Congress.

Since they are exempt from all laws unless Congress says otherwise, they can do pretty much whatever they want. Many tribes in an effort to raise money built casinos, others -like the Goshutes here in Utah- are building nuclear waster depositories. And what a arguement they stirred up. The Governor here -Mike Leavitt- is absolutely livid about having nuclear waste stored in this state.

 

[NY Hoya]

Originally posted by Richard III


Have you been? Would you recommend it?

R.III

I've been several times. I wouldn't recommend it for any stay longer than a night or weekend though. There isn't a whole lot to do other than gamble. Usually we'll go down on a Friday or Saturday night after having a few too many drinks. Call up a limo, drive down, gamble for 5-6 hours and then head back to the city. The only time I've actually stayed in a hotel was when one of my friends got comped, so I can't give too much perspective as far as that goes. Vegas is the much better vacation destination. If you do go to AC, stick with the bigger casinos, Caesars is my favorite.

 

[Switch625]

The riverboat casinos no longer need to actually leave the dock to operate. I was at the Jumer's riverboat casino in Davenport, Iowa three years ago, and at that time the law was new. I was kind of disappointed, because I thought a riveboat cruise while blowing my money would be pretty cool.

There are also riverboat casinos in Illinois, along the Illinois River. Peoria is the big gambling center in the middle of the state. Several other cities have tried to get licenses to operate riverboat casinos, even though they have no navigable river. The idea is to create a body of water large enough to stick a riverboat on. I love it. No luck so far, but some cities are still trying.

 

[Padma]

Well, they don't have to leave the dock to operate. I understand they do have to leave the dock once in a while to prove they are a "riverboat".

The ones here in Council Bluffs just took their annual(?) tour of a few hundred yards up the Missouri this spring.

But 90%+ of the time they are moored at the dock, and you would never know you were on a boat.

 

[MuddyOne]

It depends on the state. Louisanna(sp), IIRC, it just has to be on the river. Several casinos there are just built on pilings.