Posted on 07/08/2008 8:13:18 AM PDT by AmericanMade1776
Make a donation of $5 or more between now and midnight on July 31st, and you could be one of 10 supporters chosen to meet Barack backstage and watch his acceptance speech in person.
Each of the 10 selected supporters can bring a guest, and will be flown to Denver to spend two days at the convention, culminating in Barack's speech on Thursday, August 28th.
(Excerpt) Read more at donate.barackobama.com ...
Also here...
Win a date with Obama: illegal in Minnesota? (soliciting contributions for a raffle trip to Denver)
MinnPost ^ | Tuesday, July 8, 2008 | By David Brauer
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2042407/posts
The five topics covered on a state-by-state basis in the chart are:
Dominant Factor Test Applied: “Chance” is one of the elements generally required to be present in order for a game to violate a state anti-gambling statute. Most states have concluded that where the elements of skill, whatever they may be, predominate over the elements of chance, whatever they may be, in determining outcome, then the “chance” element is lacking and the game involved does not violate that state’s anti-gambling law. This question considers whether the state applies this “dominant factor,” or predominance, test.
Social Gambling Allowed: The question here is whether playing for money in a purely social context is allowed,. A “social context” usually means that no player or other person, like a bookie or the host of the game, makes or earns anything other than as, and on an equal footing with, a mere player in the contest or game.
Misdemeanor vs. Felony: What constitutes a “misdemeanor” versus a “felony” is not consistent in all states. Some states distinguish on the basis of the place of possible incarceration. That is, possible sentencing to a city or county jail versus sentencing to a state penitentiary defines the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in some jurisdictions. Most states, however, draw the distinction based on the term of the possible sentence, with a punishment of one year or less being a misdemeanor and a longer possible sentence defining a felony. The latter approach in the used in compiling the chart.
Simple vs. Aggravated: The distinction between “simple” and “aggravated” gambling is also one that varies from state to state. That terminology may not be used in a state’s criminal law at all. It may be phrased as mere “gambling” versus “professional gambling.” It may come into play only based on second or third violations of a given criminal prohibition. The approach used in compiling the chart is generally based on the presence of professional gambling, which involves those who make money on the contest or game other than as, and on an equal footing with, a mere player.
Express Internet Prohibition: The response to this question goes to whether a state has adopted a specific law criminalizing the offering and/or playing of gambling games offered over the Internet. The fact that a state has not passed a specific law does not make participation in or offering of gambling over the Internet legal under the laws of that state. The question is a complex one and is addressed in several of the articles included on this site.
http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Law-Summary/
I would of had mine up sooner, but my Mom called during Mid post. :-)
There was an AP thread which was pulled. But I’m glad to see at least one state official already investigating if this is illegal by the laws of his state.
There are several states that have specific Laws for express internet gambling... Illinois, Indiana, Montana, Nevada, Michigan, New Jersey, South Dakota
Gambling is an addiction and should not be paraded around like this.
It would be as though he offered free drinks for the entire evening to an alcoholic.
Lotteries are usually okayed for Non Profit Organizations, but Lotteries , to buy a chance for a trip out of state and be put up in a Hotel, with expenses paid.. For the Obama Charity? hardly
Me too... and who knows, it might not be illegal in other states too, meanwhile Obama is taking advantage of people using a Lottery.
I guess this would be considered a lottery or raffle, but what lottery doesn’t increase your chances with amount spent?
What makes this more interesting is this is offered nationwide isn’t it? So this isn’t just social gambling where there isn’t one or more money-makers (clearly the Obama campaign is the “House” in this case).
How does offering a “prize” affect political contributions?
Especially since unlike a dinner or meet ‘n’ greet fundraiser, all participants don’t get something in return.
South Dakota’s prohibition applies to those in the “gambling business.” Is Obama in the gambling business?
Lotteries in most states are okay for Non Profit groups, but Political groups? I think this is worthy of checking out.
Additionally, what about people who have already given the “limit”, are they being “unfairly” excluded from the lottery?
McCain has a similar donation lottery going on. Donate and win a chance to ride the “Straight Talk Express” bus. It might be over by now, but I got an email asking for $ with this as the prize...for some reason it didn’t tempt me to donate :p
A judge with some balls would make Obama cancell the lottery and return every donation he has recieved since making the announcement. But that won't happen to Obamessiah.
U.S. Federal Gambling laws http://www.gambling-law-us.com/Federal-Laws/
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