United States v. Cohen
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
260 F.3d 68 (2001)

- Written by Alex Ruskell, JD
Facts
Jay Cohen (defendant) ran World Sports Exchange (WSE), an online bookmaker based in Antigua. WSE advertised to users in the United States, including New York. Although betting was legal in Antigua, it was illegal in New York. FBI agents in New York contacted WSE by telephone and Internet several times to open betting accounts and place bets. One of these bets was on a Georgia Tech football game. Cohen was arrested and charged with operating an illegal Internet gambling operation. Under the relevant statute, the transmission of bets was prohibited, although there was a safe harbor for the transmission of mere betting information. After Cohen was convicted in federal district court, he appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Cohen argued that WSE’s transmissions between Antigua and New York were protected by the statute’s safe-harbor provision.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Keenan, J.)
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