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Can you summarize 18 USC 1953?
RACKETEERING > Interstate transportation of wagering paraphernalia
Short Summary
This section of the United States Code, under the Crimes and Criminal Procedure, specifically addresses the interstate transportation of wagering paraphernalia. It prohibits any person, except a common carrier in the usual course of its business, from knowingly carrying or sending in interstate or foreign commerce any record, paraphernalia, ticket, certificate, bills, slip, token, paper, writing, or other device used, or to be used, or adapted, devised, or designed for use in bookmaking, wagering pools with respect to a sporting event, or in a numbers, policy, bolita, or similar game. Violation of this section may result in a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both. However, there are several exemptions to this section, including parimutuel betting equipment, materials used at racetracks or other legal betting events, transportation of betting materials to states where betting is legal, transportation of newspapers or similar publications, equipment used in state lotteries, equipment used in savings promotion raffles, and transportation of equipment to foreign countries for authorized lotteries. It is important to note that this section does not provide immunity from criminal prosecution under any state or territorial laws.
Whom does it apply to?
Any person who knowingly carries or sends in interstate or foreign commerce any record, paraphernalia, ticket, certificate, bills, slip, token, paper, writing, or other device used, or to be used, or adapted, devised, or designed for use in bookmaking, wagering pools with respect to a sporting event, or in a numbers, policy, bolita, or similar game.
What does it govern?
Interstate transportation of wagering paraphernalia
What are exemptions?
The section does not apply to: (1) parimutuel betting equipment, parimutuel tickets, or parimutuel materials used or designed for use at racetracks or other sporting events where betting is legal under applicable State law; (2) the transportation of betting materials to be used in the placing of bets or wagers on a sporting event into a State where such betting is legal under the statutes of that State; (3) the carriage or transportation in interstate or foreign commerce of any newspaper or similar publication; (4) equipment, tickets, or materials used or designed for use within a State in a lottery conducted by that State under authority of State law; (5) equipment, tickets, or materials used or designed for use in a savings promotion raffle operated by an insured depository institution or an insured credit union; (6) the transportation in foreign commerce to a destination in a foreign country of equipment, tickets, or materials designed to be used within that foreign country in a lottery authorized by the laws of that foreign country.
What are the Penalties?
Fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both.
Jurisdiction
U.S. Federal Government