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Illegal Gambling Rings In The US

If you happen to be in the US, then you’ll see that most US states will allow some form of gambling. Whether this is a full-blown casino with slot machines and table jackpot games or just private poker games or charitable raffles. Any form of gambling that takes place outside of existing regulations will be deemed illegal at the state level. This may include such things as Super Bowl betting at the office or having a 50/50 raffle at the Little League baseball game in the local ballpark with the kids. What’s interesting is how America bills itself as the “land of the free” and yet you’ll often find many social customs bare the label of “outside the law.” These are, essentially, illegal gambling rings.

Wherever you are in the world, including the United States, you’ll find that gamblers have to gamble. Although there have been many attempts in the past to crack down on illegal gambling, it still remains rampant. Even more so in states where the population has no access to legal betting. This leads to the existence of gambling rings. Today at Jackpotfinder.com, we thought we would take a deeper dive into these underground operations and see how they function. And also why they continue to exist.

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What Are Illegal Gambling Rings?

First off, we can make a few assumptions about illegal gambling rings which are true enough. One is that they tend to take place in private locations or else entirely online. Then they tend to employ a number of people. You’ll find a lot of money changing hands in both directions. And more importantly than anything else, they will all have a huge number of customers. The same goes for online casinos like King Billy Casino, except that this casino is legal. 

Illegal Gambling Ring Locations

Dallas
Dallas, Texas

It goes without saying that illegal gambling can take place anywhere. But to describe itself as a “ring” then it normally takes place at a physical location such as the back room of a restaurant or of a gas station. That’s because one of the keys to remaining undetected by law enforcement is that the location needs to be absolutely private. You’ll also need to be able to control your customers as they come and go. And finally, it’s important to have the ability to handle large amounts of cash.

Where Are Illegal Gambling Rings Found?

As we’re talking about the US, you’ll find illegal gambling rings all over the country. Yet having said that, they tend to be more common in urban areas within states that have restrictive gambling laws. A good example of this would be the state of Texas. Because all forms of gambling are illegal, you’ll find a huge number of gambling rings and gambling shops in both Dallas and Houston. You also find out of state gamblers making the considerable drive from states such as Louisiana and Oklahoma to these cities in order to place bets on either casino games or at illegal sportsbooks.

Illegal Gambling Rings Cash

cash

If you’re gambling in a state where gambling activities are illegal then this is going to e a huge risk to both the house and to the customer. It’s important that though the house wins more often than not, the gambling ring has enough cash on hand to cover any wins by the customer. Keep in mind that the gambling ring can vary in size from just a few people to well over several thousand. This also means that the amount of money being moved can vary considerably.

Sometimes large illegal gambling rings only produces small amounts of money. For example, in 2021 there was a gambling ring bust in California that saw the arrest of 70 customers.  Yet the police made no mention of the amount of money seized. This was considered very strange as police departments are prone to brag about their cash hauls. So it’s safe to assume that there was only a very small amount of money present.

Employees of Illegal Gambling Rings

Depending on the nature of the actual betting business, then the number and type of employers required will vary considerably as well. For example, a sports betting ring may need a bookmaker, one or two secretaries and perhaps some muscle to both distribute and collect the cash. On another level, a sportsbook can actually exist virtually, meaning that there’s very little interaction required, even for the exchange of cash. 

illegal gambling rings

On the other hand, an illegal jackpot slots parlour is going to require a few more people. For example, you’re going to need employees to work with the floor, janitorial staff to keep things presentable and clean and some guards on the door in order to keep everything running smoothly. Another point to think about is that you’re running an illegal operation that involves a lot of cash. This makes it very prone to having a high risk of robbery. And this, in turn, means that the guards will probably need to be armed and willing to use their weapons.

Customers of Illegal Gambling Rings

There’s no stereotypical customer when it comes to who walks on the door and makes use of illegal gambling rings. In fact, many say that gambling acts as a form of social leveller or equaliser. That’s because background, class and race are immaterial when it comes to who likes to gamble. As these people can’t find access to legal gambling, then it’s only natural that they will turn towards gambling parlours and illegal poker rooms. 

The Pros and Cons of Illegal Gambling

No Taxes!

As they say, the only certainties in life are death and taxes! By gambling illegally, you’re going to keep more money in your pocket. Also, the operators of illegal gambling rings will save at least a 7% to 10% tax rate by operating an illegal casino. Also, as a winner, there’s no requirement to pay any taxes or even declare a single dime to anyone.

Illegal Casinos Can Be Scary

gambling

Because you’re dealing with an illegal activity outside the protection of the law, then anything can happen. It’s quite possible to be robbed either when you enter the illegal gambling den or when you exit it. You’ll also be rubbing shoulders with some very interesting characters and there’s always a possibility that violence could break out. Remember that there’s no possibility of involving law enforcement when you’re involved with illegal gambling rings.

They Are Located Near You

You’re going to be a very unfortunate gambler if you happen to live in Hawaii, Indiana, Tennessee or Utah. That’s because there are no options in terms of legal gambling. If you live in Hawaii then you’re really stuck as you need to get on a boat or plane to be able to visit a more gambling-friendly state. Others who live in non-gambling states of the US may have a very long drive ahead of them if they wish to visit brick and mortar casinos to win the jackpot in a legal state. 

Be Wary Of Predatory Practices

A licensed online casino, like King Billy Casino, and those licensed by the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority, will have to abide by a stringent set of rules. Many of these are in place to protect gamblers from themselves. And also ensure that when they win the jackpot online, they can actually get hold of their winnings. Unfortunately, illegal gambling rings are just based on getting as much money into the coffers as quickly as possible. As a result, they’re not concerned about protecting players or looking out for problem gamblers. In fact, they’re more likely to do the opposite. And encourage losing players to chase their losses until all their bankroll is used up. So if you do visit any illegal gambling rings then be wary of your actions.

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