Notice: The uscode.house.gov website is currently operating in a temporary format. While the United States Code remains available from its authoritative source, some website features and functionality are temporarily unavailable.
The United States Code Online is current through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
Search & Browse Currency and Updating Classification Tables Popular Name Tool Positive Law Codification Editorial Reclassification Downloads
28 U.S.C. 3702: Unlawful sports gamblingText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 28-JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURECHAPTER 178-PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR SPORTS PROTECTION
Jump To: Source CreditEditorial NotesConstitutionalityStatutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective Date

§3702. Unlawful sports gambling

It shall be unlawful for⁠—

(1)  a governmental entity to sponsor, operate, advertise, promote, license, or authorize by law or compact, or

(2)  a person to sponsor, operate, advertise, or promote, pursuant to the law or compact of a governmental entity,

a lottery, sweepstakes, or other betting, gambling, or wagering scheme based, directly or indirectly (through the use of geographical references or otherwise), on one or more competitive games in which amateur or professional athletes participate, or are intended to participate, or on one or more performances of such athletes in such games.

(Added Pub. L. 102–559, § 2(a) , Oct. 28, 1992 , 106 Stat. 4228 .)

Editorial Notes

Constitutionality

For information regarding constitutionality of par. (1) of this section, as added by section 2(a) of Pub. L. 102–559, see note under section 3701 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1993, see section 3 of Pub. L. 102–559, set out as a note under section 3701 of this title.