Fed's closing in on us internet gamblers. READ ARTICLE

[VeryTnA]

Posted on Fri, Jan. 09, 2004

Clear Channel part of probe into offshore gaming ads
Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO - Clear Channel Communications Inc. and a number of media companies have been issued subpoenas as a part of a probe into advertising by illegal Internet gaming sites.

The San Antonio-based radio giant received the subpoena in September from federal prosecutors in St. Louis seeking information on commercial advertising aired on behalf of Web-based gambling businesses, including sports bookmaking and casino-style gaming, that are based in other countries.

Clear Channel, which said it is cooperating with federal officials, disclosed information about the subpoena in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Lawrence Walters, an attorney who represents offshore Internet gambling businesses, told the San Antonio Express-News that the Department of Justice issued several subpoenas that targeted Web sites, radio and TV broadcasters, magazines, newspapers and others.

The subpoenas request all records involving ads by Internet gaming establishments dating to 1997, said Walters, who has received a copy of the subpoena from one of his clients.

He said the Justice Department also sent a warning letter to major radio networks advising them of the legal risks of accepting Internet gambling ads.

Gambling on the Internet is illegal in the United States under a 1960s law that prohibits using a "wire connection facility" to place a bet across state lines.

Despite U.S. restrictions, online gaming revenue topped $6 billion last year and is projected to reach $7.6 billion this year, according to Christiansen Capital Advisors LLC.

A Congressional report estimates there are more than 1,500 Web-based gaming sites. While virtually all sites operate from computer servers based abroad, as much as 70 percent of Internet wagers come from the United States, according to the report.

Here's the orignal link:
original link http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...ss/7672376.htm

[Stew]

Well all I can say is that whoever wrote this did not do their homework as the US Supreme Court has already ruled that the "Wire Act" does not apply to Internet Activities, specifically internet gambling. It is not against any current US law to place a bet via the internet. There are some state statutes that prohibit this, however.

[BreakEvenPlayer]

Hey gabyyyyy it's time to cash out!!!

[VeryTnA]

[ QUOTE ]
US Supreme Court has already ruled that the "Wire Act" does not apply to Internet Activities

[/ QUOTE ]

Then why is the Department of Justice looking into who placed internet gambling advertising?

[Stew]

Why don't you ask the Justice Department. I should re-state my comment. Based on Supreme Court Rulings, it is not illegal to PLACE a bet via the internet with an offshore operation. However, it is clearly ILLEGAL to run an operation that accepts bets and acts as a "bookmaker" for lack of a better word. In other words, you can place all the bets you want, but the folks that own and operate PartyPoker, UB, Paradise, Intertops, VIPSports, etc. are all engaging in illegal activities.

[Terry]

[ QUOTE ]
Then why is the Department of Justice looking into who placed internet gambling advertising?

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe because some those owner/operators who place ads actually live in Arizona?

[bull7]

I don't think I'm ready to baracade myself in my home and load all my weapons just yet . . . .The internet offers a wide variety of potential legal issues which aren't even close to being clarified. As usual, the legal system is conidserably behind the curve of advanced technology & social change. Only time will tell what the future holds . . .

[daveymck]

Only if they are operating out of the United States or the UK, if they are allowed to operate in the durustriction they are in I dont see what the US government can do.

The UK government has plans to embrace the licencing of online gaming as they feel it would be impossible to stop UK residents using offshore sites. If our government feels its impractical to stop UK residents doing it I cant see how the much larger population of the US can be stopped and even why they would want too.

[csuf_gambler]

the feds cant touch us

[Redhot_man]

For the life of me, I cant figure out why the haven't allow Vegas to run online books and pokerrooms. What ever happened to free enterprise?