Calcuttas

nine_ball6970

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Why don't they have calcuttas for the bigger events such as the US Open? It seems like that would be a great way to get more money into pool considering there was 90k at White Diamonds and first place was worth 30k.
 
Why don't they have calcuttas for the bigger events such as the US Open? It seems like that would be a great way to get more money into pool considering there was 90k at White Diamonds and first place was worth 30k.

I am no lawyer but it sure seems like gambling. It is probably not legal. Those that do it just get away with it.
 
I am no lawyer but it sure seems like gambling. It is probably not legal. Those that do it just get away with it.

It is very similar to an office pool. They are generally a fringe subject that are allowed as long as the organizer does not take a percentage. Of course the larger it is, like White Diamonds, the more likely someone takes notice.
 
It depends on the area's local laws and what it's called.

Why don't they have calcuttas for the bigger events such as the US Open? It seems like that would be a great way to get more money into pool considering there was 90k at White Diamonds and first place was worth 30k.

In some states it is illegal. In some areas it's alright as long as it's not called a calcutta and is only referred to as a player's auction.

I don't know why some of the larger tournaments don't have them. It could be due to laws where those tournies are held.

Jaden
 
You couldnt have an auction in a casino setting, thats for sure. So not happening at most major pro events.

Its gambling for sure at WD. One day the feds will raid it and take all the cash. Just like they did at Johnson City in1972. Surprised it hadnt happened yet.
 
Its gambling for sure at WD. One day the feds will raid it and take all the cash. Just like they did at Johnson City in1972. Surprised it hadnt happened yet.

That will never happen in Louisiana. Even the feds gamble down here.
 
not accurate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling_in_the_United_States

Here's a list of states where Pari-mutuel gambling, such as calcuttas, is legal and illegal.

Surprisingly Mississippi is a no-go.

Wiki isn't the most accurate of info sites. ND does allow Pari-mutual and has for years. In ND Calcuttas would fall under Charitable gaming laws, as far as I know, and must be conducted by a Charitable Orgainziation, as the state has to get their money from it somehow. Some places may not want to do Calcuttas due to the reporting of taxes on the player and organization.

53-06.1-07.3. Calcuttas. (ND)

A calcutta may only be conducted for a professional or amateur sporting event held in this state but not for elementary, secondary, or postsecondary education sports events. Only one wager per competitor may be allowed in a calcutta pool. The amount of prizes may not exceed ninety percent of the gross proceeds. A player may not place a wager on a competitor in a calcutta sporting event unless the competitor is eighteen years of age or older.

3. A licensed distributor shall affix a North Dakota gaming stamp to each deal of pull tabs and bingo cards, punchboard, sports pool board, calcutta board, and series of paddlewheel ticket cards sold or otherwise provided to a licensed organization and shall purchase the stamps from the attorney general for thirty-five cents each. Ten cents of each stamp sold by the attorney general, up to thirty-six thousand dollars Page No. 13 per biennium, must be credited to the attorney general's operating fund to defray the costs of issuing and administering the gaming stamps.
 
I suspect when you get the kind of money that a Calcutta for the US Open might draw it could far exceed the prize money and things could turn "dirty" pretty quickly.
I don't remember so please don't beat me up if I'm wrong, but was this the situation several years ago when the Buddy Hall / Mike LeBron(?) final took place?

Also, it may may well be in the interpretation of the local laws as well. In Colorado for instance, though the list mentioned says that this type of thing would be legal, I can recall a time not long ago when houses shied away from Calcuttas because it was clearly illegal. Very recently I was told (informally) by the enforcement arm of the Department of Revenue here in Colorado, the folks that oversee gaming, that this would be considered illegal, but unless it drew big money they doubted that anyone would be inclined to shut it down
 
It was Challenge of Champions and was basically the same situation as a calcutta dump. I think Lebron had the worst odds on him to win, and the players arranged to have him win and placed bets on him (I'm guessing though friends and such).

Funny part is I think I watched that match on TV years ago and seeing it with the knowledge of what happened is a totally different view of how you see some of the shots Hall played.
 
It was Challenge of Champions and was basically the same situation as a calcutta dump. I think Lebron had the worst odds on him to win, and the players arranged to have him win and placed bets on him (I'm guessing though friends and such).

Funny part is I think I watched that match on TV years ago and seeing it with the knowledge of what happened is a totally different view of how you see some of the shots Hall played.

Lebron had the biggest odds on him. ( he was the least likely to win)
It was a tournament.
It was at a casino.
The casino make the odds.
A dump is a dump where ever it occurs.
 
I don't golf, but I have heard of some pretty big calcuttas around here in golf. I imagine if they raided the small pool calcuttas, they would have to go after the bigger golf ones and that might upset the lawyers at the course.
 
Why don't they have calcuttas for the bigger events such as the US Open? It seems like that would be a great way to get more money into pool considering there was 90k at White Diamonds and first place was worth 30k.

In those places where it is legal, I think the organizer must still issue 1099s. If no 1099 is issued, the payer incurs the tax liability. If the payee is a foreign national, 30% must usually be withheld, but this varies somewhat by country of origin.
 
In those places where it is legal, I think the organizer must still issue 1099s. If no 1099 is issued, the payer incurs the tax liability. If the payee is a foreign national, 30% must usually be withheld, but this varies somewhat by country of origin.

If I was the owner of the place I would be very weary of doing it. I know a guy who had his liquor license suspended just for having $1.00 football cards in the place. The 4 months he was shut down cost him over $100,000. +, and it was a while before the place got back on it's feet. There is no way it is worth it to the owner if there is ever a slim possibility of something happening.
 
While pari-mutual (pooled money ) gambling may be legal in a state, they still expect that the proprietors collect taxes. If the house takes a cut of the money first tgey too are commiting tax evasion.
 
While pari-mutual (pooled money ) gambling may be legal in a state, they still expect that the proprietors collect taxes. If the house takes a cut of the money first tgey too are commiting tax evasion.

I'll say it again, if I was an owner sitting there with a million dollar investment, there is no way I am jeopardizing my business just to accommodate a bunch of people who could care less about me or my business. If there is even a chance I am breaking a law I'm not doing it. Laws can be very vague when it comes to stuff like this. Who wants to go to the expense and have to try to defend themselves over something as stupid as this.
 
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