Pooka
05-24-07, 09:39 PM
London-based gaming website Betonsports has pleaded guilty in the US to charges of money laundering and racketeering.
The internet gambling firm and its top executives were indicted on criminal charges relating to their US operations last June.
Betonsports' founder Stephen Kaplan and former boss David Carruthers are both under arrest and await trial.
Charges were filed using a 1960s-era law banning bets over the phone, part of a US crackdown on online gaming.
By pleading guilty, Betonsports has admitted mail and wire fraud, operating an illegal gambling business and money-laundering, US attorney Catherine Hanaway said.
The company now faces fines up to $500,000 (£251,880), billions of pounds in forfeitures and the return of money held for US account holders.
Betonsports will also supply witnesses and evidence in the case against Mr Kaplan and Mr Carruthers as part of the agreement with the prosecution to avoid further criminal prosecution.
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6689813.stm)
The internet gambling firm and its top executives were indicted on criminal charges relating to their US operations last June.
Betonsports' founder Stephen Kaplan and former boss David Carruthers are both under arrest and await trial.
Charges were filed using a 1960s-era law banning bets over the phone, part of a US crackdown on online gaming.
By pleading guilty, Betonsports has admitted mail and wire fraud, operating an illegal gambling business and money-laundering, US attorney Catherine Hanaway said.
The company now faces fines up to $500,000 (£251,880), billions of pounds in forfeitures and the return of money held for US account holders.
Betonsports will also supply witnesses and evidence in the case against Mr Kaplan and Mr Carruthers as part of the agreement with the prosecution to avoid further criminal prosecution.
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6689813.stm)