(derbies, tournaments, mains, hacks, etc.) and local preferences. Generally, there are three ways in which money changes hands at a cockfighting derby, which is the most popular type of organized cockfighting event in the U.S. today. In a derby, a number of cockers (cockfighters) pay a predetermined entry fee to enter a preset number of cocks, usually from four to 12. Depending upon the rules, the cocks are usually matched within two to three ounces of each other and are fought round-robin. The cocker whose fowl wins the most fights in a derby wins the purse, which consists of all the entry fees of all the derby participants. This can easily amount to a considerable sum of money, since there may be more than 30 cockers entered in a derby, each paying from several hundred to more than $1,000 in entry fees and options for each day’s events (options are additional set fees offered to entrants at some pits). In the event of a tie, the purse is split among the winners. Sometimes the purse is divided between the first-place and second-place winners. The second and most visible form of gambling at cockfights is the side bets, which are made in the same manner as those at a dogfight. Side bets frequently involve odds, and betting continues throughout much of the fight with the odds shifting as it becomes apparent that one of the cocks is injured or dying. The two opposing owners of the cocks in a match will sometimes agree to a side bet on their own birds as well. A third form of gambling at some cockfights involves a type of lottery based on a number arbitrarily given to each cockfighter when the entry fee is paid. The numbers are then auctioned off to the highest bidders and the money goes into a separate pot before the start of the first fight. The buyer of the number assigned to the cockfighter who wins the derby wins the lottery. Other types of raffles may also be held 30 The Humane Society of the United States in which winners receive cash, cockfighting paraphernalia, guns or gamefowl as prizes. Aside from the gambling, the sponsor or promoter derives income from admission fees. Spectators may be charged from $10 to more than $100 each, depending on the number of fights scheduled and the quality of the combatants. Admittance generally requires a paid membership with a particular game club or a current membership with a state or national gamefowl breeders association. Investigations have revealed that some gamefowl associations receive a portion of all monies collected at the gate. Still to be answered is whether such illegal activities are the primary source of income for any of these associations. A promoter of cockfights and dogfights frequently also profits from concession sales, including alcoholic beverages, and the establishment of house betting odds. Some enthusiasts publish underground magazines that are sold by yearly subscription (see Appendix II). The publications include fight results from around the country, news about relevant legislation and enforcement actions. They also carry advertising for fighting animals and related paraphernalia. Various publications require that prospective subscribers be recommended by a current subscriber. The amount of money generated through such publications is difficult to estimate since circulation and publishing costs are unknown. Materials are sent to subscribers through the U.S. Postal Service or as PDFs through email. Other individuals profit from the sale of related paraphernalia, such as: • Special collars and harnesses for dogs and tie cords for gamefowl • Vitamins, drugs, and veterinary supplies (syringes, needles, suture kits, etc.) • Training equipment (treadmills, sparring muffs, weight scales, etc.) Specialized cases
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