Legal Question in Business Law in Florida

Online Wagering: I live in Florida and he'd like for me to open

I have a friend who is interested in dog race online wagering. He resides in the state of Georgia and is not able to create an online wagering account, probably because of the 1969 Stanley v. Georgia case, which I think made it illegal to place wagers via the telephone (correct me if I'm wrong). I live in Florida and he'd like for me to open the online wagering account. He would pay for the bets through my account and we would 75/25 split any winning ticket's prize money. The prize money would go to my banking account. I would transer his 75% winning portion to him through the internet. I'd put any applicable winning ticket's tax money in a separate account, to pay at the end of the year. I would be managing the account and making extra money. However, I do not want to do anything illegal. Would these activities be lawful? If not, is there any way of doing this legally. Thank you for your advice.


Asked on 7/05/09, 12:08 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sarah Grosse Sarah Grosse, Esquire

Re: Online Wagering: I live in Florida and he'd like for me to open

I think this is an issue of Georgia criminal law, so I am FAR less than qualified to comment on it. But, the reason I think Georgia criminal law is the issue is because if it is a crime for your friend to engage in illegal wagering in Georgia, and you aid him in committing that crime, then you also commit a crime - no matter where you live.

Whether there are ways to structure this legally, I have no idea. You should seek the counsel of a qualified attorney to review all the facts of your situation and advise you. I recommend that you obtain that advice in a private setting, under the protection of the attorney-client privilege.

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Answered on 7/05/09, 12:21 pm


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