> Is it only illegal because the money was gained by committing a crime? If so, wouldn't money laundering laws be an indirect solution to the problem? You are

> Is it only illegal because the money was gained by committing a crime? If so, wouldn't money laundering laws be an indirect solution to the problem? You are correct on both counts. States use multiple means at their disposal to make it harder run an illegal business. Anti money laundering law is probably the last of those hurdles. That said, fixing the real root cause is easier said than done. Take one of the biggest source of money laundering in/around the US, drugs. Fixing the root cause here calls for asking some tough questions. Why is drug use/abuse so pervasive? Why not make it legal? Can free, universal health care fix it? And so on.