Bodog executive next?

[Wynton]

In this article (http://www.theonlinewire.com/articleView.aspx?ID=1102) , there is a quick aside speculating that a Bodog executive may be the next guy to face the wrath of the US prosecutors.

[BluffVin]

[ QUOTE ]
“I can tell you we are not postponing the conference.” A Bodog.com manager told TheOnlineWire.com. “Indictments do not involve us or the industry but they are rather linked to BETonSPORTS previous dealings.”

[/ QUOTE ]

As long as this quote from Bodog is not simply to convey a false security, I like what they are implying.

[tipperdog]

[ QUOTE ]
A Bodog.com manager told TheOnlineWire.com. “Indictments do not involve us or the industry but they are rather linked to BETonSPORTS previous dealings.”

[/ QUOTE ]

A quick read of the BetOnSports indictment shows this is entirely untrue.

I'm no sports bettor, but I'll lay anyone huge odds that Bodog's legal counsel has advised the CEO not to set foot on US soil.

[JPFisher55]

Actually, I really wonder if the DOJ is prepared to take on a pure Internet gaming site. Why not charge everyone connected to PartyPoker, Full Tilt etc?

[Kneel B4 Zod]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
A Bodog.com manager told TheOnlineWire.com. “Indictments do not involve us or the industry but they are rather linked to BETonSPORTS previous dealings.”

[/ QUOTE ]

A quick read of the BetOnSports indictment shows this is entirely untrue.

I'm no sports bettor, but I'll lay anyone huge odds that Bodog's legal counsel has advised the CEO not to set foot on US soil.

[/ QUOTE ]

as the bodog.com conference, featuring Calvin Ayre, is set to be in Vegas next week, this will be interesting to see

[Punker]

Ayre has stated several times in the past that he feels an arrest in the US would only enhance his profile. While I wouldn't say he's asking for it, he certainly doesn't sound very scared of it. I think he'll go to his conference (possibly against the advice of his legal advisors) and what happens when he hits the airport in the US will be closely watched by the whole industry - if he walks through without a problem, it will be a clear signal that this was an action aimed directly at those guys due to their shady past. If Ayre is also arrested, it's going to be a pretty bad sign for the online sportsbooks.

[Misfire]

[ QUOTE ]
as the bodog.com conference, featuring Calvin Ayre, is set to be in Vegas next week, this will be interesting to see

[/ QUOTE ]

Given that Calvin Ayre has made somewhat of a celebrity of himself, it might actually serve the online gaming community well if he got indicted. While I'd hate to see him tied up in a legal battle against these pseudo-moral crusaders, the issue really isn't in the forefront of the American public's mind. Perhaps a little public outrage about this crap would help online gaming as a whole.

[Kneel B4 Zod]

[ QUOTE ]

Ayre has stated several times in the past that he feels an arrest in the US would only enhance his profile.

[/ QUOTE ]

well let's see a convicted felon is looking at how many years in prison? and the forfeiture of his company? and he thinks this would be "worth it"?

I don't know if you can make sports wagers over the phone at Bodog, but if you can, Bodog could be looking at a very similar case.

[Graevis]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Ayre has stated several times in the past that he feels an arrest in the US would only enhance his profile.

[/ QUOTE ]

well let's see a convicted felon is looking at how many years in prison? and the forfeiture of his company? and he thinks this would be "worth it"?

I don't know if you can make sports wagers over the phone at Bodog, but if you can, Bodog could be looking at a very similar case.

[/ QUOTE ]

You can't according to an article on the BETonSPORTS story I read, only BETonSPORTS had over the phone betting. Using an american land line, not the customers that was obvious enough, but the company had american phone lines set up to take calls for betting purposes.

[Ignignokt]

[ QUOTE ]
Actually, I really wonder if the DOJ is prepared to take on a pure Internet gaming site.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly.

They're going after the easiest possible pickings - a guy who basically was a criminal in the first place. And regardless that the indictment mentions other gaming, their case will obviously focus on the bookmaking, because it is the only uncontestably banned activity in the Wire Act.

[SumZero]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
A Bodog.com manager told TheOnlineWire.com. “Indictments do not involve us or the industry but they are rather linked to BETonSPORTS previous dealings.”

[/ QUOTE ]
A quick read of the BetOnSports indictment shows this is entirely untrue.

[/ QUOTE ]

No. A read of the indictment shows that it is partially true. A bunch of the indictment centers on stuff that was done in NY and then FL *before* BETonSPORTS existed. RICO laws are being used to link all of that activity to any of the people involved in BETonSPORTS. In addition, as others have mentioned, BETonSPORTS is being targetted for US operations (phone lines, and advertising) as well as US bets (internet and phones).

Only some of the BETonSPORTS stuff involves the whole industry (if proven); some clearly does not. It may be that the full industry stuff is window dressing on the meat of the indictment. It could be the gov't wants to get it through on that back of a successful challenge that has firmer standing. Or it could be that the industry as a whole stuff is the main focus and the past dealing is window dressing.

[Jim Kuhn]

I think the United States government chose the situation they felt had the best chance of reaching a conviction. Upon this conviction they will state 'many others are coming, get your money out while you can', etc. This was 'the example' and the 'general scare tactic' will be forthcoming.

Thank you,

Jim Kuhn
Catfish4u
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[JPFisher55]

If BETonSPORTS took bets over a US land telephone line, then they violated long standing federal and state laws. Internet gambling is a different matter.
It seems that the DOJ is going after a case that they can win on the telephone wagers and mentioning Internet wagers to scare the Internet gaming industry. So far it seems to be working.
But I wonder if the DOJ would arrest a CEO of a strictly online gaming company, indict such a company or arrest the professional players who have sponsership contracts or ownerhship interests? This would be a direct frontal assault on online gaming with much shakier legal grounds.
My bet is that the DOJ will not take this action unless HR4411 passes the Senate.

[cowboy.up]

Get your torches and pitch forks out and let's get ready to go roundup the 'clan' at the WSOP ME. Ten points for nailing Doyle. YEEEHAWWW.

[Kevmath]

According to pokernews.com, the Bodog conference was cancelled this morning.