Volume IV

Issue : 15: September 21, 2006

• China Using Software to Standardize Criminal Sentencing
• Universal Music Targets User Generated Media Sites
• eDonkey Settles With Recording Industry
• Pretext Calls Commonly Used to Obtain Personal and Corporate Data
• U.S. Senate Approves $90M for Media Violence Study
• Executives of Online Gaming Companies Risk Arrest in USA
• Court Rules Retailers Website Must Be Accessible to the Blind

Home > Volume IV > Issue 15: September 21, 2006 > Executives of Online Gaming Companies Risk Arrest in USA

Executives of Online Gaming Companies Risk Arrest in USA

In early September 2006, Peter Dicks, the Chairman of the board of a European gambling company, Sportingbet PLC, was arrested in New York upon his arrival at Kennedy International Airport. Mr. Dick’s apprehension was thanks to a warrant issued by the state of Louisiana and an investigation into “illegal” online gambling activity. Sportingbet is traded on the London Stock Exchange, and the arrest led the company to halt trading of its shares. Last week, Sportingbet announced that Mr. Dicks had resigned from the company.

Louisiana authorities want to bring Dicks back to stand trial in St. Landry Parish, where the warrant for his arrest was signed. Mr. Dicks has had to surrender his passport and must remain in New York pending the extradition process.

A constitutional issue is anticipated to arise in these proceedings about whether the State has jurisdiction to make the laws under which Mr. Dicks is being prosecuted, since “commerce” is federally regulated.

Dicks, 64, is the second executive of a British Internet betting company to be held in the U.S. David Carruthers, former CEO of BetOnSports PLC, was arrested in July and was subsequently terminated. Mr. Carruthers remains in St. Louis awaiting trial.

For additional information, visit:

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/52929.html