online betting domains - the end?

[AndyR]

Is the bottom about to fall out of this market?

With site owners being arrested for racketeering in the USA.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5189906.stm

America must be one of the key markets and it is illegal to bet online.

[MyFuture]

they will be ways to circumvent and get around the US legal system... 3rd party billing such as epassport and others will step in..

[AndyR]

I am sure they are working on that.

The USA seems to want to rule the world,

Perhaps they should concentrate on preventing their citizens betting online rather than prosecuting others who make it possible but not compulsory to bet.

Otherwise have workable legislation.

Using the recent extradition treaty with the UK now it is possible to be extradited to the states without a probable cause being shown and UK laws being broken. It is only necessary to identify the person and ask for their extradition to answer US courts.

[greenlight20]

yes illegal is illegal. Just because you are in another country doesn't make it legal to break US law.

So you would say that if you mailed drugs into the US from outside, "how dare the US enforce that their laws."

Or do you make money on poker names, smut and viagra ads.

And that makes all the rationalization ok, people choose to do it, I decide what is moral, legal and just, oh by the way i make money on the stuff conveniently.

Or are we (US) or western civilization or whatever a civilization of standards and laws, because as a collective society we have decided that some things are illegal and therefore have passed laws.

These guys knowingly took bets from US citizens, that's illegal plain and simple just like the corner bookie. Then they ( or at least the ones arrested) actually stepped on US soil. Stupid just plain Stupid. Now they have their website down while they review their legal standing. Why? shouldn't they have thought about that first?

Everyone can rationalize their behavior all they want and ultimately decide what's right for yourself, but you are living in la-la land if you think that a country, US or any other for that matter won't enforce it's laws at one point or another.

US is trying to take over the world? no just enforcing laws on arrogant lawbreakers who have no one to blame but themselves.

Next up will be the drug dealers (viagra etc) and illegal smut dealers (obviously most is above board)

Yes the government is slow to enforce new ways to break the law and of course criminals (that's what they are whether you agree with the law or don't) will always be one step ahead of law enforcement.

But eventually law enforcement gets lucky, makes a breakthrough or just plain retires the old way to break the law. So yes if you are a criminal all you have to do is be one step ahead.

Just don't cry and complain if they catch you.

[typeins]

They cant stop people from doing what is legal in their own countries.

It is their job to stop US citizens from visiting these sites, it is not the sites problem if US citizens visit them..

It is not illegal to take bets from a US citizen if you are a non US company and dont operate in US jurisdiction, however i would think that it is illegal for the guy who makes the bets from on US soil.

If Jo Blo is operating a shop in a country which it is fully legal to operate that kind of shop, how can he be arrested by another country if one of their citizens comes to his country and buys a drink?.. Sure its a simplified version of events.. but its basically whats happening..

I couldnt care less either way to be honest, i dont operate any casino / gambling sites of my own.. That being said, i still think its crossing the line when people think foreign companies should be forced to comply with US law when they dont even operate in their jurisdiction.

[bobby9101]

well said greenlight

[jdk]

yes illegal is illegal. Just because you are in another country doesn't make it legal to break US law.

So you would say that if you mailed drugs into the US from outside, "how dare the US enforce that their laws."

Or do you make money on poker names, smut and viagra ads.

And that makes all the rationalization ok, people choose to do it, I decide what is moral, legal and just, oh by the way i make money on the stuff conveniently.

Or are we (US) or western civilization or whatever a civilization of standards and laws, because as a collective society we have decided that some things are illegal and therefore have passed laws.

These guys knowingly took bets from US citizens, that's illegal plain and simple just like the corner bookie. Then they ( or at least the ones arrested) actually stepped on US soil. Stupid just plain Stupid. Now they have their website down while they review their legal standing. Why? shouldn't they have thought about that first?

Everyone can rationalize their behavior all they want and ultimately decide what's right for yourself, but you are living in la-la land if you think that a country, US or any other for that matter won't enforce it's laws at one point or another.

US is trying to take over the world? no just enforcing laws on arrogant lawbreakers who have no one to blame but themselves.

Next up will be the drug dealers (viagra etc) and illegal smut dealers (obviously most is above board)

Yes the government is slow to enforce new ways to break the law and of course criminals (that's what they are whether you agree with the law or don't) will always be one step ahead of law enforcement.

But eventually law enforcement gets lucky, makes a breakthrough or just plain retires the old way to break the law. So yes if you are a criminal all you have to do is be one step ahead.

Just don't cry and complain if they catch you.

Very well said. I like to keep it legal and take a trip to the nearby casino about an hour a way.

[WhoDatDog]

yes illegal is illegal. Just because you are in another country doesn't make it legal to break US law.

So you would say that if you mailed drugs into the US from outside, "how dare the US enforce that their laws."

Or do you make money on poker names, smut and viagra ads.

And that makes all the rationalization ok, people choose to do it, I decide what is moral, legal and just, oh by the way i make money on the stuff conveniently.

Or are we (US) or western civilization or whatever a civilization of standards and laws, because as a collective society we have decided that some things are illegal and therefore have passed laws.

These guys knowingly took bets from US citizens, that's illegal plain and simple just like the corner bookie. Then they ( or at least the ones arrested) actually stepped on US soil. Stupid just plain Stupid. Now they have their website down while they review their legal standing. Why? shouldn't they have thought about that first?

Everyone can rationalize their behavior all they want and ultimately decide what's right for yourself, but you are living in la-la land if you think that a country, US or any other for that matter won't enforce it's laws at one point or another.

US is trying to take over the world? no just enforcing laws on arrogant lawbreakers who have no one to blame but themselves.

Next up will be the drug dealers (viagra etc) and illegal smut dealers (obviously most is above board)

Yes the government is slow to enforce new ways to break the law and of course criminals (that's what they are whether you agree with the law or don't) will always be one step ahead of law enforcement.

But eventually law enforcement gets lucky, makes a breakthrough or just plain retires the old way to break the law. So yes if you are a criminal all you have to do is be one step ahead.

Just don't cry and complain if they catch you.

For a long time it was legal for United States citizens to have slaves. If you are white like myself then you benefit from that every day of your life.

I would much rather be associated with any vice in the world than to be associated with slavery and racism. You are from Charlotte so you probably benefit from both slavery and tobacco. See you in church.....tell them to stop the scamming and pay some taxes.....sucker.

[fatter]

I think one of the reasons they singled these guys out, as stated in their press conference is they had a notice on the site saying it was legal for US residents to gamble on there sites, if you piss off law enforcement one way or another they will get you if you enter the country. We havent seen much yet but just watch all these canadien/mexican pharmacies that ship to US will be next, so if you operate one and are from canada dont visit USA

[Steen]

Very well said. I like to keep it legal and take a trip to the nearby casino about an hour a way.

Oh the irony.

[Nolz91]

Some very good points are being brought up here. After taking my college economics class, I realized how thankful i am that I live in US. Capitalism is what our society thrives on. Period.

I consider gambling a necessary evil. It provides thousands of jobs, incomes and lots of opportunity for some! (vegas, atlantic city, mississippi gambling river boats) The internet has taken that vast revenue to unbelievable heights.

I still agree that all that live here must comply with the laws of the land. Taxes are also a necessary evil. I've never seen a poor gambling site CEO, casino CEO, executive, officer, president, etc. Pay your taxes!!! This is the easiest way most criminals are caught in this country. Not for the all the underhanded tatics, and cutthroat politics, illegal activities. Just tax evasion. The gov't just wants it's money, and unfortunately if you are complying with that "small" task, they usually are blind eye to the rest.

I personally enjoyed my last trip to Vegas,(lostalittle) also like being able to throw a few bucks on a sports game I'm interested in online, or toss a few bucks in a online poker game. I should be able to spend MY hard earned cash(after uncle sam takes his cut) how I ever want!!

However, I also agree with fatter. When these guys stepped on us soil they became governed under our jurisdicition. They could run their sites and make all the money they wanted as long as they didn't cross US soil. Don't flip off, or piss off US law enforcement, or they will hafta make an example outta ya!

Nolz91
BORN IN THE USA!

[AndyR]

It is not illegal to take bets from US citizens if you are not based in the USA

It is illegal for US citizens to part with their hard earned by gambling online

It is difficult to pay taxes in a country where you have no business representation and where your business is considered illegal anyway.

The debate will be interesting anyway as it predates the internet by a few decades and relates to interstate (not international) phone betting.

I think they should threaten to dump the entire database of US citizens betting online onto the IRS, chances are that a few concerned citizens would start to make noises.

Yes and take a temporary hit banning US IP's from taking part

[Beachie]

It's just a tax issue. The US government isn't getting any tax benefit from online gambling (it's difficult to administrate within the country and impossible outside), so they're shutting it down. Funny that Vegas is still open eh? :-D