United States Opposes WTO On Online Gambling

Gambling on the internet has been a hot topic at the World Trade Organization (WTO), since 2003, when the tiny island nation of Antigua filed suit against the United States for unfair trade practices. The Antigua case charged that the United States unfairly restricted internet betting, in direct violation of their trade agreements. After losing more than once, the U.S. is now attempted a final move of desperation in an attempt to keep online gambling illegal in the United States.

Can Barney Frank Save Online Gambling?

Six months ago the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was signed into law, after being hidden inside a homeland security budget, and effectively outlawed internet gambling in the United States. The London Stock Exchange plunged into a downward spiral, and Americans voiced outrage over having their freedom stripped away. Now House Democrat Barney Frank is attempting to turn back the clock so that online gambling can be regulated, a move that many have wanted for more than a decade.

BetOnSports.com Founder Gary Stephen Kaplan Has Been Arrested

Federal Prosecutors in the United States have confirmed the capture and arrest of Gary Stephen Kaplan, founder of the internet sports betting company BetOnSports.com. Kaplan was apprehended at a hotel in the Dominican Republic as a joint effort of Dominican and US Authorities.

Cops Ran Betting Site From New York Strip Club

Authorities in New York conducted a raid on an illegal internet gambling operation following a 14-month investigation. What makes this raid unique is that the operation was managed by former New York City police officers, including a former detective of the Department's Organized Crime Division. Two ex-cops and 15 others have been arrested as part of the raid.

$400,000 Puts Sportingbet on the Right Side of the Law

Peter Dicks, former Chairman of UK internet betting firm Sportingbet, narrowly averted extradition from New York to Louisiana last September. Had he been extradited, he would have been prosecuted under Louisiana law for illegal internet gambling. The company has now reached an agreement with authorities to pay $400,000 in exchange for having all charges dropped.

Couple Pleads Guilty To Felony Charges

A Miami couple who had been extradited to New York last November, appeared in court on Friday to face Felony charges stemming from an illegal internet gambling operation. The defendants entered guilty pleas to the felony charges and will be sentenced for the crime next month. More than two dozen others have also been indicted, including a professional poker player and a scout for the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team.

US Congress May Decriminalize Internet Gambling

Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, has announced that he is considering a new bill that would repeal the internet gambling ban that was passed last year. As the leading financial services expert in the US House of Representatives, Frank sees the economic potential of legalizing and regulating internet gambling.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown will reveal a plan in his budget next month to encourage the online gambling industry, according to published reports.

He will use the 21 March budget to announce that companies could obtain a British licence and still remain based overseas in return for a tax -- possibly as low as 2 per cent or 3 per cent, the Daily Telegraph said on Friday in an unsourced report.

In a press release issued by internet poker site, DoylesRoom.com, the site announced that it is closing all US-facing operations and will no longer allow real money wagers from residents of the United States. Doyle's Room is the only online poker room officially endorsed by poker legend, Doyle Brunson.

Following the announcement, any player logging into the poker room from an IP address based in the United States was presented with a message notifying them that they were no longer eligible to play poker for real money.