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U.S. COURT ORDER ON BETONSPORTS EXTENDED
(381) (2-September-2006)
Prosecution asks for more time to assemble tax evasion case
against gambling group
The U.S. court order restraining beleaguered online gambling group BetonSports.com
from taking bets from US citizens is to remain in place for a further
30 days following an extension granted this week by U.S. District Court
Judge Carol E Jackson.
This is the second extension of the original order, caused by procedural
difficulties in serving notice to the London based company. Federal prosecutor
Marty Woelfle told Jackson a process server in London expected to complete
that task soon. Government prosecutors are also thought to need more
time to prepare the case against the company, which includes allegations
of a failure to pay taxes on $3.3 billion in wagers.
In July, U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway unveiled a 22-count indictment
against BetOnSports in St. Louis, accusing the company of racketeering
and fraud. Former Chief Executive David Carruthers remains under
house arrest in the St. Louis area awaiting trial on the charges.
Company founder and 15 percent shareholder Gary Kaplan remains at
large but is being sought by federal authorities.
The order effectively terminates U.S. business for the group, a potentially
disastrous blow as it is believed that up to 80 percent of the BoS revenues
come from U.S. players. The order also requires BetonSports to return deposits
to U.S. gamblers, something that it has not yet done that could entail
millions of dollars flowing out of the company. Players do not yet know
when their deposits will be returned, although some company employees have
intimated it could take between 60 and 90 days. |
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