Gambling on mafia

[OceanWind]

Is it within the rules to create a mafia gambling club?

The idea would be something like this: Members who want to gamble on a game will be able to access an unspoiled thread for spectators where they make bets. The odds will change as the game progresses of course. There will also be a certain number of bookies (these positions would be open to anyone who wants to be one).

Bets could be anything:

1. Outcome of the game. For instance, if I'm a bookie and let's say the game is in D2. I assess the game and provide odds. Say 2:1 on a scumwin. Then a member who is interested in the deal would say how much they want to bet on it. I and that member would then put money in a paypal account controlled by a neutral party. Once the game ends, the neutral party would then transfer the money to the winner save a 5% charge which would go to mafiascum as a donation.
2. Alignment of a player. This would obviously depend on how long the game progressed. For instance, if it is D7 and a great player is still alive, odds on them being scum go up. But if its only D2, then they would be lower.
3. Whether two players are aligned together.
4. Calling the entire scumteam (if you get all of them D1, you get high odds for it. As the game progresses, odds decrease.)

Obviously every bet would have a time limit after which the odds would change.

I realize its against the rules to bring outside influences into games. But what if this is all done in a separate spectator private thread for each game?

Would people normally be interested in gambling on mafia? People do go to casinos and gamble on cards so it seems reasonable. Except, its not a total gamble - people with better scumhunting ability will make money in the long run. If they are a college student or short on cash, this could be a good way to potentially make some if you are good at mafia.

People spend a lot of time playing mafia so why not reward good scumhunters?

[OceanWind]

How is it illegal?

[OceanWind]

That's talking about for-profit casinos. I'm not proposing a business where a business owner makes a profit. Just a platform where people can bet akin to friends betting over a football game they are watching. Your third link specifically says this:

Those who win at gambling have obviously made some money. But aside from the players, what about the businesses who run or operate the gambling game or establishment?

Some state laws specifically allow for "social gambling" while prohibiting gambling as a business. Business gambling occurs when a person or organization operates a gambling hall that collects fees or takes a portion of the amount the players bet. For example, a person who holds a "casino night" party and charges an entry fee is engaged in an illegal activity in a state that prohibits business gambling or gambling for profit. So-called “social gambling,” where the players are all equals an no one is collecting fees or making a profit apart from the outcome of the game -- such as in a home poker game -- is often not considered illegal. However, even social gaming is illegal in some states.

I don't know how the last statement applies to cross-state online gambling though. I'd assume that comes under federal regulations and it doesn't seem illegal federally. If we forget about giving any percentage to mafiascum and just bet with each other, that wouldn't be illegal.

[OceanWind]

I've often seen people make statements like this so it would be a chance to put their money on the line.

If social gambling really were illegal, wouldn't it be illegal every time a bunch of friends get together and play poker with actual money?