Gambling Offenses; Animal Fighting Offenses

(a) Base Offense Level: (Apply the greatest) (1) 16, if the offense involved an animal fighting venture, except as provided in paragraph (3) below; (2) 12, if the offense was (A) engaging in a gambling business; (B) transmission of wagering information; or (C) committed as part of, or to facilitate, a commercial gambling operation; (3) 10, if the defendant was convicted under 7 U.S.C. § 2156(a)(2)(B); or (4) 6, otherwise. Commentary Statutory Provisions: 7 U.S.C. § 2156 (felony provisions only); 15 U.S.C. §§ 1172–1175; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1082, 1301–1304, 1306, 1511, 1953, 1955; 31 U.S.C. § 5363. For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index). Application Note: 1. Definition.—For purposes of this guideline, “animal fighting venture” has the meaning given that term in 7 U.S.C. § 2156(f). Historical Note Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1993 (amendment 481); November 1, 2007 (amendment 703); November 1, 2008 (amendment 721); November 1, 2016 (amendment 800); November 1, 2024 (amendment 831); November 1, 2025 (amendment 836). §§2E3.2 – 2E3.3. [Deleted] Historical Note Section 2E3.2 (Transmission of Wagering Information), effective November 1, 1987, was deleted by consolidation with §2E3.1 effective November 1, 1993 (amendment 481). Section 2E3.3 (Other Gambling Offenses), effective November 1, 1987, was deleted by consolidation with §2E3.1 effective November 1, 1993 (amendment 481). * * * * * 4. TRAFFICKING IN CONTRABAND CIGARETTES AND SMOKELESS TOBACCO Historical Note Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 2007 (amendment 700).