Betting Boxes of Beer

If it is a rule then it should be documented.

The reasoning behind disallowing beer bets makes one wonder why charity beer raffles are allowed. RB can not enforce or guarantee the payout of these boxes. Raffles are also not legal in every state unless specific requirements are met. Why do the admins enforce the betting threads but turn a blind eye to the raffle threads?

I understand RBs desire to limit liability but this is pretty silly. Put a disclaimer somewhere. There have been so many successful bet boxes and raffle boxes that it is disappointing that the fun can be spoiled. I am all for trying to prevent an issue before it happens but what is the worse that can happen with someone not shipping out a box? This community does a good job holding people accountable and I’ve seen many boxes sent out to people who were hosed on a trade. Things just work out here at RB because it is a good community. I hope this decision is reconsidered.

Am I still not allowed to trade my bbq goodies and smoked cheese?

Originally posted by foppa78
If it is a rule then it should be documented.

The reasoning behind disallowing beer bets makes one wonder why beer raffles are allowed. RB can not enforce or guarantee the payout of these boxes. Raffles are also not legal in every state unless specific requirements are met. Why do the admins enforce the betting threads but turn a blind eye to the raffle threads?

I understand RBs desire to limit liability but this is pretty silly. Put a disclaimer somewhere. There have been so many successful bet boxes and raffle boxes that it is disappointing that the fun can be spoiled. I am all for trying to prevent an issue before it happens but what is the worse that can happen with someone not shipping out a box? This community does a good job holding people accountable and I’ve seen many boxes sent out to people who were hosed on a trade. Things just work out here at RB because it is a good community. I hope this decision is reconsidered.

Presumptions of universal illegality are greatly exaggerated.

For example, The state of California, like most US states, doesn’t have any laws concerning Internet gambling at all, and it appears that sports wagers are safe, as long as you are not running an online sportsbook, which would run afoul of existing federal law. Ratebeer as a site would only run afoul of the law if it took a cut out of every bet as a fee for betting.

A couple of laws--The Federal Wire act and UIGEA act, do not make gambling on-line illegal, they only restrict electronic transfer of gambling money. Since our beer betting is a non-cash transaction, and does not involve a wire transfer, we’ve got a good legal work-around. Also, these laws also apply only to business not to individuals private betting.

IRS--If your winnings are more than intrinsic you must declare them as income for tax purposes regardless of whether or not they are cash or non-cash. Honor system allowed here.

For the record President Obama bets beer on sports games.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fourth-place-medal/obama-bets-cases-of-beer-with-canada-s-prime-minster-over-u-s--canada-hockey-matches-172533620.html

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/president-obama-honors-world-cup-bet-with-belgian-prime-minister-beer

I really do not see a legal problem with RB allowing individuals to bet beer on sports games.

I realize that I don’t post much in these forums, but I don’t recall ever seeing this posted as an official ratebeer policy. To just assume people know and delete threads without explanation seems wrong. The fact that you can’t won’t enforce this is a non issue. I have participated in one group trade that involved picking games/betting and had a great time, but realized that this wasn’t a trade. In my opinion, all things that don’t fall under a trade should either be left alone or removed. You shouldn’t pick and choose for whatever reasons the admins have decided upon behind the scenes.

Originally posted by TheAlum
We can’t enforce or advocate betting

Originally posted by foppa78
Am I still not allowed to trade my bbq goodies and smoked cheese?

Originally posted by StefanSD
Presumptions of universal illegality are greatly exaggerated.

For example, The state of California, like most US states, doesn’t have any laws concerning Internet gambling at all, and it appears that sports wagers are safe, as long as you are not running an online sportsbook, which would run afoul of existing federal law. Ratebeer as a site would only run afoul of the law if it took a cut out of every bet as a fee for betting.

A couple of laws--The Federal Wire act and UIGEA act, do not make gambling on-line illegal, they only restrict electronic transfer of gambling money. Since our beer betting is a non-cash transaction, and does not involve a wire transfer, we’ve got a good legal work-around. Also, these laws also apply only to business not to individuals private betting.

IRS--If your winnings are more than intrinsic you must declare them as income for tax purposes regardless of whether or not they are cash or non-cash. Honor system allowed here.

For the record President Obama bets beer on sports games.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fourth-place-medal/obama-bets-cases-of-beer-with-canada-s-prime-minster-over-u-s--canada-hockey-matches-172533620.html

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/president-obama-honors-world-cup-bet-with-belgian-prime-minister-beer

I really do not see a legal problem with RB allowing individuals to bet beer on sports games.

Originally posted by BMMillsy

Originally posted by StefanSD
Presumptions of universal illegality are greatly exaggerated.

For example, The state of California, like most US states, doesn’t have any laws concerning Internet gambling at all, and it appears that sports wagers are safe, as long as you are not running an online sportsbook, which would run afoul of existing federal law. Ratebeer as a site would only run afoul of the law if it took a cut out of every bet as a fee for betting.

A couple of laws--The Federal Wire act and UIGEA act, do not make gambling on-line illegal, they only restrict electronic transfer of gambling money. Since our beer betting is a non-cash transaction, and does not involve a wire transfer, we’ve got a good legal work-around. Also, these laws also apply only to business not to individuals private betting.

IRS--If your winnings are more than intrinsic you must declare them as income for tax purposes regardless of whether or not they are cash or non-cash. Honor system allowed here.

For the record President Obama bets beer on sports games.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fourth-place-medal/obama-bets-cases-of-beer-with-canada-s-prime-minster-over-u-s--canada-hockey-matches-172533620.html

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/president-obama-honors-world-cup-bet-with-belgian-prime-minister-beer

I really do not see a legal problem with RB allowing individuals to bet beer on sports games.

Personal betting online isn’t a big deal. The issue is the online service getting a cut. Premium members pay a fee, which I’m sure some lawyer could try to construe I to getting a cut. Cross border betting also has some legal implications. Not everyone lives in California. And the UIGEA specifically notes that any site that could possibly be facilitating gambling in the way that it is structured must have policies against this.