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Justice Dept, eyeing states' lotteriesBy Ed RogersThe legalized gambling operating in 13 states from Maine to Illinois might soon wind up in trouble with the Feds.Lawyers in the Justice Department’s criminal division are studying the legality of the lotteries, employed by financially hard-pressed states to raise needed revenuesStrict enforcement of federal laws against gambling, according to some authorities, could mean criminal prosecution of state officials, even though the games are legal under the state laws.Peter Mills, U. S. Attorney from Maine, has spread concern among states and surprised his superiors by pledging to enforce the letter of federal law.But the Justice Department has called for a moratorium on prosecution while its criminal division lawyers study thecomplex relation of federal law to state law and come up with a recommendation.Lotteries are now operated in Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachussets, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Lotteries are being started in Illinois and Ohio.Federal laws outlaw most interstate aspects of theoperations such as use of the mails or broadcast advertisingt and also forbid participation by federal banks as selling or payoff agents.William S. Lynch, chief of the Justice Department’s organized crime and racketeering section, says a major concern is protecting the policies thestates set for thunashFes.“If my recollection is correct,to sell New York lottery ticketsin South Dakota or California is more likely, than not a violationof their laws,” Lynch said.
Newspaper Details
Daily Court Review
Houston, Texas, US
Tue, Oct 22, 1974
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Madison H.
NA, 25 May 2023
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