new york penal law 180 50 tampering with a sports contest in the
In New York, tampering with sports contests is illegal under NY Penal Law 180.50. This statute makes tampering with a sports participant, official, or outcome with intent to influence the contest a criminal offense. Let’s take a closer look at the law, penalties, and possible defenses.
What is Tampering with a Sports Contest in the Second Degree?
According to NY Penal Law Article 180, a person is guilty of tampering with a sports contest in the second degree when they[1]:
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(212) 300-5196- Tamper with any sports participant, sports official, or any animal or equipment or other thing involved in the conduct or operation of a sports contest
- Do so with intent to influence the outcome of that sports contest
Examples could include bribing a player to shave points, injuring a star player to affect the game odds, or altering equipment like balls or bats to impact performance[2].
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A college basketball player approaches you after a teammate offered him $5,000 to intentionally miss free throws in an upcoming rivalry game. He didn't agree to it, but he's worried about whether he has any legal exposure just from hearing the offer and not reporting it immediately.
Can I face charges under NY Penal Law 180.50 even though I never agreed to throw the game?
Under NY Penal Law 180.50, tampering with a sports contest in the second degree requires that a person actually confer, offer, or agree to confer a benefit upon a sports participant with intent to influence the outcome — simply being approached does not make you criminally liable. However, your teammate who made the offer could face a class A misdemeanor charge carrying up to one year in jail. I would strongly advise you to document what happened and report it to your athletic compliance office, as failing to act could complicate your position if an investigation later unfolds. We can also evaluate whether any related charges under NY Penal Law 180.51, the first-degree tampering statute involving bribery of officials, might come into play depending on who else was involved in organizing this scheme.
This is general information only. Contact us for advice specific to your situation.
Penalties for Tampering with a Sports Contest in NY
Tampering with a sports contest in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor in New York[3]. Potential penalties if convicted include:
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to $1,000 in fines
- Probation up to 3 years
- Permanent criminal record
