having real money events on my shard - illegal?

[skull77]

lets say i wanted to have a PVP tournament, and the winner would win 50% of all the entry amount

players would have to donate $1 each to enter the tournament

would this be illegal?

[Galdar]

post it as....your selling a time slot and a location, you should be fine. People sell items an stats all the time in "bonus item malls" all the time.

[majorcomet]

In most states in the U.S., what you describe COULD be considered to be a raffle, and would frequently be illegal if not done for the benefit of a non-profit organization.

However, the fact that it involves a game of SKILL, as opposed to chance, could alter that. Again, it would depend on your state.

Finally - the fact that it is over the Internet may throw it all into question again - as it could be that the most restrictive rules would apply, or there are national laws regarding it.


However, if what you did ended up being very small, limited only to your shard's players, it possibly would not even be noticed. Think of an office sports betting pool - usually technically illegal, but generally, no one cares. However, if there is 'real money' involved, I would seek some legal advice.

[greywolf79]

Or you could do it similar to how some shards do other things... Make tickets for entrance into the tournament a reward for donation... If a player donates $1 then they get a ticket for a reward for helping the shard... I have seen where you donate $60+ for some items on a shard. It has been around for a long time. That is just my thought though on how to fix the issue from being an illegal thing.

GreyWolf.

[crackrat]

Look into your local laws both state and county/city laws concerning gambling and tournaments. I know in my state there are two county/cities that do not allow any sort of tournament for cash prize, as that is considered gambling.

I found out one night (along with about 63 other players,a large audience, the bar owner, and a radio station) when the police raided a grand opening pool tournament. what appeared to be about half the police force came in and shut the place down. names were taken of the participants and such, but no charges were filed except the bar owner. all because of a little known law and a district attorney that had a chip on his shoulder. best part I'd driven almost 100 miles to be there for the tourney

[Kitchen_]

Originally Posted by majorcomet

In most states in the U.S., what you describe COULD be considered to be a raffle, and would frequently be illegal if not done for the benefit of a non-profit organization.

However, the fact that it involves a game of SKILL, as opposed to chance, could alter that. Again, it would depend on your state.

Finally - the fact that it is over the Internet may throw it all into question again - as it could be that the most restrictive rules would apply, or there are national laws regarding it.


However, if what you did ended up being very small, limited only to your shard's players, it possibly would not even be noticed. Think of an office sports betting pool - usually technically illegal, but generally, no one cares. However, if there is 'real money' involved, I would seek some legal advice.

RunUO holds raffles all the time. Just do what RunUO does and make the players "donate" to enter the tournament.

[greywolf79]

Originally Posted by Kitchen_

Just do what RunUO does and make the players "donate" to enter the tournament.

Wasn't that my idea? So it must be true... Great minds do think alike, or is it sick and twisted minds think alike? Alwell... Point is, best bet is to work it out as a donation type thing. Maybe make a special reward for the winner on the shard instead of giving a cash prize...

GreyWolf.