I legitimately had no idea that off-track betting was still illegal in the US
. I was always confused when watching movies and people would mention "talking to their bookmaker" as if said bookmaker was some shady loneshark type character in the back office of a local bar.
Turns out that's actually what it's like!
Well lucky Americans, soon you will be able to place your bets with a faceless corporate entity. They won't break your legs if you start winning big... they'll just restrict you in a central database so that you can't bet anywhere
other than back in the shady backroom
. Good times good times.