Major, on reflection, my proposed sentence is a bit harsh. This guy didn't kill anybody, but he likely ruin some lives although the bettor always has the option of not gambling.
Kudos to Hartley for getting an interview with Dershowitz. I agree with Alan that sports betting is a game of relative skill much like poker. Although luck decides many outcomes, the skilled capper should come out ahead in the long run while the bad capper has no chance long-term. The point Alan either seems to miss or avoid is that Kaplan did not operate a betting exchange. Kaplan was pitting his lines against the bettors and making huge profits. It strikes me as ironic that Dershowitz will argue that betting is a game of skill while Kaplan eliminated bettors who demonstrated any ability to pick winner. The Missouri court will not be bound by the outcome of JC's case in NY, but it will serve as mighty precedent. Agree with Dell that the outcome will be the same. A midwestern court is likely to view gambling as a greater evil that the Southern District of New York in which JC arguably stood the best chance of prevailing.  |