Champion v. Ames, 188 U.S. 321 (1903)
Champion v. Ames, also known as the Lottery Case, is a landmark United States Supreme Court decision that significantly expanded the interpretation of congressional power under the Commerce Clause of the U.S.
Whether Congress has the power under the Commerce Clause to prohibit the interstate transportation of lottery tickets.
Congress has the power under the Commerce Clause to regulate and prohibit the transportation of articles deemed harmful or against public policy across state lines.
The Supreme Court held that Congress, under its power to regulate interstate commerce, can prohibit the transportation of lottery tickets across state lines as a measure to protect public morals and welfare.
Champion v. Ames is significant for its broad interpretation of the Commerce Clause, asserting that Congress can regulate moral issues under its power to regulate interstate commerce. This decision paved the way for subsequent federal legislation targeting activities deemed harmful to the public, even if those activities did not traditionally fall under the scope of commerce. The case serves as a foundational precedent for understanding the Outer limits of federal legislative power in areas traditionally regarded as state concerns. For law students, the case is crucial in highlighting the evolution of Commerce Clause jurisprudence, illustrating how federal power expanded from its inception, capable of encompassing vast regulatory functions over the American economy and society. It serves as a critical case for discussions on federal versus state power, particularly in the context of the regulatory scope of Congress.