The hammer comes down

[Wiseguy]

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/loca...36706.html

This sucks.

[Beyond the Bets]

Why?

[LOLstradamus]

Quote:“Illegal gambling and money laundering are the financial engines that help drive criminal enterprises like the one alleged today,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Venizelos. “The type of gambling activity charged here is illegal. These types of extensive and long-term joint investigative efforts, worked with our partners like the IRS and Montgomery County Detectives, are intended to dismantle criminal organizations that profit from illegal activities.”

Well, no shit. All of this is easily avoidable if you legalized it, but people are forced to operate underground because of these nanny-state laws.

[Wiseguy]

Most of this you know. Well, I have a personal connection to 3 guys in the indictment, one being a close friend. So I may be partial. I guess it comes down to me not having a problem with books who provide a service and are not violent. These guys are not connected to organized crime. These guys never beat up someone for a debt. They never threatened someone's family.

[SkyBlues42]

(08-09-2012 09:51 AM)Diddy Covers Wrote:  Well, no shit. All of this is easily avoidable if you legalized it, but people are forced to operate underground because of these nanny-state laws.

Tell that to the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and NCAA.

[LOLstradamus]

(08-09-2012 10:01 AM)SkyBlues42 Wrote:  

(08-09-2012 09:51 AM)Diddy Covers Wrote:  Well, no shit. All of this is easily avoidable if you legalized it, but people are forced to operate underground because of these nanny-state laws.

Tell that to the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and NCAA.

But they're too concerned about the supposed "reputation" of their respective sports. Never mind the mass child rape, bounty scandals, drug abuse, etc.

[illadelphia]

(08-09-2012 09:54 AM)Wiseguy Wrote:  Most of this you know. Well, I have a personal connection to 3 guys in the indictment, one being a close friend. So I may be partial. I guess it comes down to me not having a problem with books who provide a service and are not violent. These guys are not connected to organized crime. These guys never beat up someone for a debt. They never threatened someone's family.

Seems like we might know some of the same people.

I agree with everything you said. These were not the the mafia type characters that the general public associates with terms like bookmaker or bookie. The ones I know were regular guys like many of us here at BTB.

Damn shame.

[the dude]

As a Canadian, I've never had to use a local bookie to bet, but my American friends in NY, Boston and Michigan do. From their experience, the relationship between them and their bookies are like any other amicable business relationship they encounter in their day to day lives. It's nothing like what the media and government wants the public to believe it's like with mafias, hit-men and violence.

However, what they are doing is illegal according to the government and not paying taxes on their income is basically, in the eyes of the government, stealing from them. The part that saddens me the most is that given the chance, I guarantee these bookie services would gladly pay taxes and report their earnings to have their business legalized and legitimized.

[Wiseguy]

(08-09-2012 11:14 AM)the dude Wrote:  As a Canadian, I've never had to use a local bookie to bet, but my American friends in NY, Boston and Michigan do. From their experience, the relationship between them and their bookies are like any other amicable business relationship they encounter in their day to day lives. It's nothing like what the media and government wants the public to believe it's like with mafias, hit-men and violence.

However, what they are doing is illegal according to the government and not paying taxes on their income is basically, in the eyes of the government, stealing from them. The part that saddens me the most is that given the chance, I guarantee these bookie services would gladly pay taxes and report their earnings to have their business legalized and legitimized.

The govt. would lead you to believe they dont pay taxes but I know some on this case do.

[Wiseguy]

@illidelphia yeah Im sure. You nailed it, these were businessman who were good family guys and did a lot for good causes.

[illadelphia]

(08-09-2012 11:18 AM)Wiseguy Wrote:  The govt. would lead you to believe they dont pay taxes but I know some on this case do.

Bingo.

I have heard it from numerous people that if you are willing to claim professional gambling as an occupation on your taxes, then you must also be willing to give up a slice of the pie to the federal gov't. This is even true in the years that you don't make a profit - basically always pay the gov't something and that "should" help keep some of the potential issues with the feds at bay. Not a guarantee but a smart, proactive decision should you choose that line of work.

[SkyBlues42]

Isn't that the same thing professional poker players have to do?

[illadelphia]

(08-09-2012 12:34 PM)SkyBlues42 Wrote:  Isn't that the same thing professional poker players have to do?

Pretty sure but I can't say for certain

[louiemdj]

(08-09-2012 11:14 AM)the dude Wrote:  However, what they are doing is illegal according to the government and not paying taxes on their income is basically, in the eyes of the government, stealing from them. The part that saddens me the most is that given the chance, I guarantee these bookie services would gladly pay taxes and report their earnings to have their business legalized and legitimized.

That is all they really care about. Straight $ homie.