US Online Gambling Operator To Be Convicted

Operating an online gambling business of any kind in the US has always been
illegal. The government seldom goes after the players, but American citizens
running an online gambling operation are always held liable under federal law.

The first American has been convicted of running an online gambling operation
without even going to trial. Michael Badalucco, 26, was convicted for his
involvement in running an online sportsbook. The site, Best24B.com, was
taking wagers from Americans and processing those wagers in Costa Rica.

Badalucco pleaded guilty and under the plea agreement with the DOJ, he will
only have to spend a maximum of 24 months in prison. It is likely that he
will spend less than 12 months in prison once he is sentenced by a judge.

Their was controversy involving this case because the judge had jailed
several people for refusing to testify, even when they had not broken
any laws. Some lawyers had argued that they were unlawfully imprisoned.

This is the first conviction for an American citizen and it could be
the start of a longer chain of convictions against illegal gambling
operators within the United States. The DOJ may have a limited window
for prosecutions that involve casino and poker games, because Congress
is gearing up to pass a law to regulate online gambling this year.