A lottery is a game of chance where things of smaller value or smaller sums of money are risked for the chance of becoming property or money of greater value upon the happening of an uncertain event. The are restrictions in USA on some certain actions connected with lotteries and these restrictions are defined in 18 USC Chapter 61.
18 U.S. Code Chapter 61 Consists of Several Statutes Including the Following:
18 USC Section 1301: Importing or Transporting Lottery Tickets
Under this statute, it is illegal to bring into the US or knowingly deposit with an express company or any other common carrier to be transported in interstate commerce any paper, certificate, or instrument that purports to be a lottery or any similar game of chance, or advertisement of a game of chance unless permitted within the United States.
It is also prohibited to knowingly transmit information used for the purposes of procuring a lottery ticket or ticket for a game of chance unless permitted within the USA.
Penalties for Violating 18 USC Section 1301
- Up to two years in a federal prison
- Fine
18 USC Section 1302: Mailing Lottery Tickets or Related Matter
Under this statute, it is prohibited to knowingly mailing or delivering by mail any package, letter, postcard, or circular that contains a lottery ticket or a ticket for a game of chance that is not permitted within the United States.
It is also illegal to transmit by mail any draft, checks, bill, postal note, or money for purchasing such tickets and mailing newspapers, circulars, or any other publications which contain advertisements for lotteries or games of chance.
Penalties for Violating 18 USC Sections 1302
- Up to two years in a federal prison
18 USC Section 1303: Postmaster or Employee as a Lottery Agent
This statute addresses the illegal actions of an officer or any employee of Postal Service who sends, delivers or vends lottery tickets, packages, circulars, postal cards, or acts as an agent for a lottery.
Penalties for Violating 18 USC Section 1303
- Up to one year in a federal prison
- 18 USC Section 1304: Broadcasting lottery information:
This statute prohibits broadcasting, or knowingly permits the broadcasting, advertisements for lotteries or games of chance, any information about the lottery on any TV or radio stations for which a license is required.
18 USC Section 1306: Participation by Financial Institutions
Under this statute, it is prohibited to knowingly violate the Federal Reserve Act, Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Revised Statutes of the United States.
Penalties for Violating 18 USC Section 1306
- Up to one year in a federal prison
18 USC Section 1307 carves out some exceptions to certain advertisements.
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