California · Penal Code

PEN §336.9: (a) Notwithstanding Section 337a, and except as provided in subdivision (b), any person who, not for gain, hire, or reward other than that at stake under conditions available to every participant, kno

Infraction

What this law says, in plain English

A person who knowingly participates in certain forms of betting or wagering on lawful contests without financial gain beyond winnings is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine up to $250, except for online bets or pools exceeding $2,500.

Read the full statutory text

(a) Notwithstanding Section 337a, and except as provided in subdivision (b), any person who, not for gain, hire, or reward other than that at stake under conditions available to every participant, knowingly participates in any of the ways specified in paragraph (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 337a in any bet, bets, wager, wagers, or betting pool or pools made between the person and any other person or group of persons who are not acting for gain, hire, or reward, other than that at stake under conditions available to every participant, upon the result of any lawful trial, or purported trial, or contest, or purported contest, of skill, speed, or power of endurance of person or animal, or between persons, animals, or mechanical apparatus, is guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250). (b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to either of the following situations: (1) Any bet, bets, wager, wagers, or betting pool or pools made online. (2) Betting pools with more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) at stake.

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