October 27, 1999
Jim McMahon
c/o Zucker Sports Management Group
33 North Dearborn Street, 19th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
RE: ADVICE TO CEASE AND DESIST
Offshore Sports Wagering
L97-3-1253
Dear Mr. McMahon:
Our office has received information that you are featured in sports wagering advertising for English Sports Betting, an offshore sportsbook, wherein it is asserted that their operations are legal in the State of Florida. Your endorsements have been featured in both the print and broadcast media in the State of Florida. Many sportsbooks advertise that customers may transfer funds to pay for the sports bets and, by use of the media, actively encourage the violation of Florida law. These sportsbooks have received, and are actively soliciting payments from Florida residents for the placement of bets or wagers that are illegal under Florida law.
It is unlawful in the State of Florida to bet or wager any money or other thing of value on sporting events. The betting and wagering activities of these offshore sportsbooks are conducted by telephone, over the Internet, and through U.S. Mail from within the State of Florida, and are in violation of Florida Law (Fla. Stat. ?849.14 and ?849.08). The advertisements advise customers to bet through these various methods.
We have conducted an investigation and have concluded that these Sportsbooks are engaged in Illegal Gambling Enterprises that are a violation of the Florida RICO Statute (Fla. Stat. ?895.02) and involve predicate acts of the use of the wire communications in interstate or foreign commerce for the placing of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers on sporting events, which are prohibited by federal statute, 18 U.S.C. ?1084. Furthermore, Florida Statutes ?777.011 criminalizes the actions of any person or entity that aids andabets the commission of a criminal act in Florida. Florida Statutes (?849.29) also permit suits against entities that promote gambling transactions.
The Office of the Attorney General advises that you CEASE AND DESIST from advertising and promoting these violations of Florida law through advertising of offshore sports wagering operations. This letter is also being forwarded to the United States Attorney and State Attorney in this jurisdiction for investigation of possible criminal and civil violations.
Sincerely,
Gary L. Betz
Special Counsel to
the Attorney General
cc: Kent Perez, Chief Cabinet Aide
Lawson Lamar, State Attorney
- 9th Judicial Circuit
Donna Bucella, Acting US Attorney
enclosures