WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT EVEN CARE ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FUK!
WE ARE SO SCREWED.
Copy of BetonSports restraining order obtained by Gambling911.com
Gambling911.com has recently obtained copies of the actual restraining order and indictment served to BetOnSports (BOS) and related individuals and entities. Not only do these documents clear up numerous rumors, but they also shed significant light on the federal government's determination to wipe out online gambling in this country.
One thing is clear from reading these documents. BOS is not fully complying with the terms of the restraining order. They’ve chosen to comply with the measures that protect themselves during this uncertain time, and chosen to disregard those that could ultimately harm the individuals in charge of the purse strings. Should they lose the trial, a lot of board members and key shareholders stand to lose a lot of money if they choose to refund all customer money in compliance with the order.
While the actions of the U.S. government are not supported in any way, it is sad to see one of the largest and most respected entities in the business show such cowardice and disregard for its customers.
The restraining order begins by summarizing the validity of the plaintiff’s claims. The court determined that the U.S. was “likely to succeed on the merits of its claims”, “will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of a temporary restraining order”, and that “there is no evidence that the defendant will suffer any unjust damage as a result of a temporary suspension of its illegal business in the United States”. That last quote is clearly misleading – 85-90% of BOS’s customers are United States citizens.
The last justification for issuing the restraining order is that “Injunctive relief is compatible with the public interest because Plaintiff is seeking to enforce laws that are designed to protect the public’s interest”. In other words, the government believes that online gambling is detrimental to the public welfare of U.S. citizens and they know what is best for us. Never mind that statistics show that 85% of the American public is against any legislation banning online gambling.
The meat of the order, the “restraining” part, indicates that pretty much anyone and everyone (“the defendant, its agents, contractors and other entities having possession or control of the instrumentalities used by the defendant, its officers, employees, and all persons participating in or assisting in the defendant’s operation”) are barred from:
During the time the restraining order is in effect (currently until August 14, 2006, but another hearing will more than likely extend it further) BOS is not allowed to:
The order goes on to require BOS to set up toll free telephone service for each website it operates to provide refund information to each customer. They must also post a message on the primary access page of each website and on their telephone lines indicating they will not accept wagers from U.S. citizens (exact language is provided in the restraining order). They must also place an advertisement (specific language listed in the order) in a newspaper of national circulation (Wall Street Journal and USA Today are given as examples).
All of the above conditions were to be satisfied within 7 days. The date on the order is July 17, 2006. BOS has failed to comply with the majority of the conditions and their claims of failing to be properly served are more than likely false. The fact that that their lawyers failed to appear at the initial hearing further indicates that they are not handling this situation in the most professional manner possible.
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Kira Wissman,
WE ARE SO SCREWED.
Copy of BetonSports restraining order obtained by Gambling911.com
Gambling911.com has recently obtained copies of the actual restraining order and indictment served to BetOnSports (BOS) and related individuals and entities. Not only do these documents clear up numerous rumors, but they also shed significant light on the federal government's determination to wipe out online gambling in this country.
One thing is clear from reading these documents. BOS is not fully complying with the terms of the restraining order. They’ve chosen to comply with the measures that protect themselves during this uncertain time, and chosen to disregard those that could ultimately harm the individuals in charge of the purse strings. Should they lose the trial, a lot of board members and key shareholders stand to lose a lot of money if they choose to refund all customer money in compliance with the order.
While the actions of the U.S. government are not supported in any way, it is sad to see one of the largest and most respected entities in the business show such cowardice and disregard for its customers.
The restraining order begins by summarizing the validity of the plaintiff’s claims. The court determined that the U.S. was “likely to succeed on the merits of its claims”, “will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of a temporary restraining order”, and that “there is no evidence that the defendant will suffer any unjust damage as a result of a temporary suspension of its illegal business in the United States”. That last quote is clearly misleading – 85-90% of BOS’s customers are United States citizens.
The last justification for issuing the restraining order is that “Injunctive relief is compatible with the public interest because Plaintiff is seeking to enforce laws that are designed to protect the public’s interest”. In other words, the government believes that online gambling is detrimental to the public welfare of U.S. citizens and they know what is best for us. Never mind that statistics show that 85% of the American public is against any legislation banning online gambling.
The meat of the order, the “restraining” part, indicates that pretty much anyone and everyone (“the defendant, its agents, contractors and other entities having possession or control of the instrumentalities used by the defendant, its officers, employees, and all persons participating in or assisting in the defendant’s operation”) are barred from:
- <LI class=MsoNormal>Continuing to operate the “illegal gambling business”. (18 U.S.C. Sec. 1341 & 1343) <LI class=MsoNormal> Continuing to operate ANY website that offers sports betting or that transmits betting information in the United States. <LI class=MsoNormal>Continuing to operate ANY telephone service that offers sports betting or transmits betting information in the United States. <LI class=MsoNormal>Soliciting and accepting wagers on sporting events from U.S. citizens. <LI class=MsoNormal>Causing the transmission of wagering information using interstate and international wire communications facilities within the United States. <LI class=MsoNormal>Causing the transmission of funds from U.S. citizens for the purpose of placing wagers on sporting events. <LI class=MsoNormal>Advertising, in any way, any gambling activity which is in violation of U.S. Law (18 U.S.C. Sec. 1084 – the “Wire Wager Act”) <LI class=MsoNormal>Transporting or causing the transport of any gambling related materials (18 U.S.C. Sec. 1952) <LI class=MsoNormal>Transferring funds to, within, or from the U.S. in violation of U.S. law (18 U.S.C. Sec. 1956 and 1957)
- Causing persons or items to move within the U.S. or in foreign commerce (conducting business in the U.S. as a foreign entity) (18 U.S.C. Sec. 1952 & 1953)
During the time the restraining order is in effect (currently until August 14, 2006, but another hearing will more than likely extend it further) BOS is not allowed to:
- <LI class=MsoNormal>Change the status, in any way, of any of their domain names (there are hundreds listed in an exhibit).
- Any of the registries hosting BOS’s domain names are not permitted to cancel any contracts with BOS or change the status of the names.
- <LI class=MsoNormal>Inform providers of telephone services (also listed in an exhibit attached to the order) that they are discontinuing their illegal operation in the U.S. and that it will no longer accept wagers or facilitate the transmission of betting information within or through the U.S.
- Return to the sender all funds in its possession received from persons in the U.S. for the purpose of opening a sports betting account.
The order goes on to require BOS to set up toll free telephone service for each website it operates to provide refund information to each customer. They must also post a message on the primary access page of each website and on their telephone lines indicating they will not accept wagers from U.S. citizens (exact language is provided in the restraining order). They must also place an advertisement (specific language listed in the order) in a newspaper of national circulation (Wall Street Journal and USA Today are given as examples).
All of the above conditions were to be satisfied within 7 days. The date on the order is July 17, 2006. BOS has failed to comply with the majority of the conditions and their claims of failing to be properly served are more than likely false. The fact that that their lawyers failed to appear at the initial hearing further indicates that they are not handling this situation in the most professional manner possible.
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Kira Wissman,
