Giving or Accepting a Bribe to Influence the Outcome

NRS 207.290 – Penalties Associated with Giving or Accepting a Bribe to Influence the Outcome of Sporting Event

According to NRS 207.290, it is a crime to give or accept a bribe to influence the outcome of a sporting event. Nevada is one of the few places in the country where sports betting has been legal for a long time. As such, it should be expected in the state that includes Las Vegas, Nevada has many laws related to and regulating gambling. This statute is one of them and is intended to deter things such as shaving points or so-called “home cooking” by referees. This page will explain what the crime of giving or accepting a bribe to influence the outcome of a sporting event is, how to defend against this charge, and the potential penalties one might face if convicted of the crime.

Giving or accepting a bribe to influence the outcome of a sporting event as a crime

Under Nevada law, it is illegal to give, offer or attempt to give or offer any type of compensation in exchange for a person involved in a sporting to influence the outcome of the sporting event through things such as their own play, their officiating of the game, or otherwise using their role in the sporting event to influence the outcome.

Similarly, it is also illegal to ask or give, or attempt to ask or give any compensation in exchange using your role in a sporting event to influence the outcome.

It is important to note that the statute criminalizes both the offering of compensation and asking for compensation to influence the outcome of a sporting event. It criminalizes both sides of the transaction.

The statute is fairly broad, and essentially bans any type of rigging a sporting events whether it be through shaving points, throwing, or getting any type special advantage in a sporting event. The statute makes a point of including people like players, referees, judges, or any type of official in a sporting event because, again, the intention of the statute to limit rigging of sporting events.

Defenses to a charge of giving or accepting a bribe to influence the outcome of a sporting event as a crime under NRS 207.290

If you or a loved one have been charged with this crime in Nevada, it is important to remember that the burden is proof is upon the State of Nevada to show beyond a reasonable doubt that you have committed the crime. Most crimes have defenses that can be raised to refute the state’s argument. An experienced attorney may raise the following defenses against a charge of illegally giving or accepting a bribe to influence the outcome of a sporting event:

• Non-influential role. If you are not a player, a referee, or some other game official that can have an influence on the outcome of the game, the statute may not apply to you.

Potential penalties for giving or accepting a bribe to influence the outcome of a sporting event as a crime under NRS 207.290

The crime of giving or accepting a bribe to influence the outcome of a sporting is a class c felony. As such, if convicted, a person can face:

• No less than 1 year and not more than 5 years in jail and
• No more than $10,000 in fines

This is a particularly stiff penalty for giving a bribe on a sporting event. Though it should not be surprising that Nevada has passed harsh laws to protect the legitimacy of its greatest touring attraction, gaming.