California Penal Code §337a — Bookmaking / Pool-Selling
PC §337a is California's bookmaking and pool-selling statute. It punishes any person who engages in bookmaking, pool-selling, or accepting wagers on sporting or other contests, whether on premises kept for that purpose or elsewhere. Wobbler — misdemeanor (up to 1 year county jail) or felony (16 months, 2, or 3 years). Note: the C22 batch previously referenced this statute as 'PC §337' — the correct citation is §337a.
Reviewed by Daniel S. Rubin, CA Bar 302093 · Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney · Bookmaking / Pool-Selling Cases in All LA County Courts
01 — Quick Facts
PC §337a — Bookmaking / Pool-Selling at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | California Penal Code §337a — Bookmaking, Pool-Selling, Wagering |
| Correct Citation | §337a — not §337 (which is the general athletic-contest bribery statute) |
| Classification | Wobbler |
| Misdemeanor Term | Up to 1 year county jail + up to $5,000 fine |
| Felony Term | 16 months, 2, or 3 years state prison (§1170(h)) |
| Six Subdivisions | §337a(a)(1)–(6) cover distinct forms of bookmaking conduct |
| Related | §337b–§337f — sports-bribery statutes (distinct from bookmaking) |
| Free Consultation | (213) 723-2337 — Rubin Law, P.C. |
01 — What Is PC §337a?
What Is California Penal Code §337a?
PC §337a Reads:
"Every person who … (1) engages in pool-selling or bookmaking, with or without writing, at any time or place; or (2) whether for gain, hire, reward, or gratuitously, or otherwise, keeps or occupies … any room, shed, tenement, tent, booth, building, float, vessel, place, stand, enclosure, or grounds, or any part thereof … with a book, instrument, or device, for the purpose of recording or registering any bet or wager … or (3)–(6) [related conduct] is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for a period of not more than one year, or in the state prison, or by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both such fine and imprisonment."
— California Penal Code §337a(a)
§337a is California's central bookmaking statute. It criminalizes the business of accepting bets on sporting and other contests — not the placing of bets. The statute is unusually structured with six subdivisions (§337a(a)(1)–(6)) covering pool-selling, keeping a bookmaking premises, recording bets, receiving bets, having bookmaking instruments in one's possession, and paying/collecting on bets.
§337a vs. §337 — Bookmaking vs. Sports Bribery
§337a is bookmaking. §337 and the §337b–§337f family are separate statutes targeting bribery of participants in athletic contests (throwing games). The distinction matters — a §337 filing on bookmaking facts is legally incorrect and vulnerable to §995 dismissal.
Why This Statute Matters
§337a is a wobbler, which means the felony/misdemeanor decision is critical. In organized-scheme cases, §337a is often paired with §182 (conspiracy), §186.10 (money-laundering), and federal 18 U.S.C. §1955 (illegal gambling business). Rubin Law, P.C. defends by attacking the scope-of-participation element and negotiating misdemeanor reduction under §17(b).
Official Sources
02 — Elements of the Crime
Elements the Prosecution Must Prove Under PC §337a
The prosecution must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Bookmaking Conduct
Defendant engaged in one of the six specified forms of conduct under §337a(a)(1)–(6).
Wager on Contest
The conduct involved bets or wagers on horse races, sporting events, or other contests.
Knowledge
Defendant knew of the bookmaking purpose or nature of the conduct.
04 — Penalties
Penalties for PC §337a Bookmaking / Pool-Selling in California
§337a is a wobbler with §17(b) reduction opportunity.
| Charge | Code | Prison Term | Probation | Strike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| §337a — Misdemeanor | PC §337a | Up to 1 year county jail + up to $5,000 fine | Available | No |
| §337a — Felony | PC §337a | 16 months, 2, or 3 years (§1170(h) county jail) | Available | No |
| With §186.10 Money-Laundering | PC §186.10 | +16 mo / 2 / 3 yrs consecutive | Discretionary | No |
| With §182 Conspiracy | PC §182 | Same triad as underlying offense | Available | No |
Related Statutes
PC §186.10 — Money Laundering
PC §186.10
Aggregated-transaction money-laundering companion charge.
PC §182 — Conspiracy
PC §182
Multi-defendant bookmaking rings routinely charged with conspiracy.
18 U.S.C. §1955 — Illegal Gambling Business
18 U.S.C. §1955
Federal parallel — 5+ persons, 30+ days, $2,000/day gross.
Collateral Consequences
- Asset forfeiture — §337a proceeds seizable under §337b and RICO parallels
- Federal RICO exposure where interstate wire elements exist
- Occupational-license discipline (gaming, real estate)
- Immigration: potential CIMT depending on facts
- Civil-tax parallel exposure (unreported income)
Sentencing References
05 — Defense Strategies
How Rubin Law Defends PC §337a Bookmaking / Pool-Selling Charges
Rubin Law, P.C. defends §337a with a proven gambling-defense playbook.
Mere Bettor
The statute targets operators, not bettors. Placing bets is not §337a conduct.
Scope
No Knowledge
Attack the knowledge element — clerk / courier / third-party with no knowledge of scheme purpose.
Knowledge
Interstate / Tribal Preemption
Federally regulated (IGRA / tribal gaming) or interstate-permitted activity is preempted.
Preemption
§17(b) Reduction
Wobbler reduction to misdemeanor on first-offense, non-organized cases.
§17(b)
Fourth Amendment
Suppress evidence from warrantless searches or overbroad §337a wiretaps.
4A
Constitutional Sources
07 — Court Process
How PC §337a Bookmaking / Pool-Selling Cases Move Through Los Angeles Courts
§337a cases often begin with wiretaps and end in negotiated resolutions.
- 1
Step 1 — Investigation
Wiretaps (§629.50), pen-register orders, and financial-record subpoenas.
- 2
Step 2 — Filing
DA files §337a with §182 conspiracy and §186.10 money-laundering companions in ring cases.
- 3
Step 3 — Arraignment
O.R. or moderate bail typical.
- 4
Step 4 — Motions
Suppression of wiretap evidence; §17(b) reduction; §995 sufficiency challenges.
- 5
Step 5 — Preliminary Hearing
Undercover officer testimony and financial-transaction summaries presented.
- 6
Step 6 — Trial or Plea
Most cases resolve via §17(b) misdemeanor plea.
- 7
Step 7 — Sentencing
Probation with financial disgorgement typical.
Los Angeles Courts That Handle PC §337a Bookmaking / Pool-Selling Cases
§337a cases are handled in LA County felony/misdemeanor courts.
Reviewed by Your Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin — Los Angeles Bookmaking / Pool-Selling Defense Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin has defended clients charged with bookmaking / pool-selling and related offenses in Los Angeles County courts — including Clara Shortridge Foltz, Van Nuys, Compton, and Pomona. He understands that these cases are won in the details: the suppression hearing that eliminates key evidence, the preliminary hearing cross-examination that exposes a weak witness, the penalty phase argument that keeps a client out of the worst outcome.
This page was written and reviewed by Daniel A. Rubin, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, CA State Bar 302093, with 10+ years of experience defending clients charged under PC §337a in Los Angeles County. Last reviewed: July 2026.
CA Bar 302093 | Whittier Law School | Rising Star — Super Lawyers 2019–2023 | Bookmaking / Pool-Selling Cases Throughout LA County
09 — FAQs
PC §337a Bookmaking / Pool-Selling Questions — Los Angeles
What is PC §337a?
California's bookmaking and pool-selling statute — a wobbler punishing operators who accept bets on sporting or other contests.
Is §337 the same as §337a?
No. §337a is bookmaking. §337 and §337b–§337f are separate sports-bribery statutes. §337a is the correct citation for bookmaking prosecutions.
Is placing a bet a §337a offense?
No. §337a targets operators — bookmakers, pool-sellers, and those who record, register, or pay on bets. Placing a bet is not §337a conduct.
Is §337a a strike?
No. §337a is not listed under §1192.7(c) or §667.5(c).
What is the sentence?
Wobbler — up to 1 year county jail (misdemeanor) or 16 months, 2, or 3 years (felony). Probation is available.
Can §337a be reduced?
Yes — §17(b) reduction to misdemeanor is common on first-offense, non-organized cases.
Available 24/7 — Free Consultation
Facing PC §337a Bookmaking Charges?
Rubin Law, P.C. defends bookmaking, wire-transmission, and conspiracy filings. Call (213) 723-2337.