07 Sep 2010
by in online gambling laws Tags: law professor, solicitations
NEW YORK — Craigslist’s “adult services” section has been shut down in the U.S., but prostitution on the Internet is alive and well — even, quite possibly, on Craigslist.
Users of the website and its CEO grouse that the Internet is still full of sites where people can find prostitutes. as for the online classifieds site itself, many personal ads, which remain on the site, appear to be thinly veiled solicitations of sex for sale.
State attorneys general had pressed Craigslist to do more to block potentially illegal ads promoting prostitution, and hailed the company’s decision to take down its adult services section on Saturday. But like other illegal online activities targeted with prosecution or lawsuits, including gambling, child pornography and unauthorized music downloads, shutting down one outlet simply sends many users running to others.
John Palfrey, a Harvard University law professor and co- director of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, said the move from Craigslist was still a victory because it moved the ads off a highly visible location.
“Will people be able to find these ads online? the answer is almost certainly,” he said. “Will they be able to find these on legitimate sites? I think the answer is probably not.”
It’s unclear if the shutdown is permanent. A black bar reading “censored” remained in place on the company’s U.S. pages late Sunday. Erotic services ads on non-U.S. sites were still active.
Neither Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster nor a company spokeswoman responded to e-mails and phone calls seeking comment Sunday. the company previously said it would issue a statement on the matter, without saying when.
Attorneys general from 17 states sent Craigslist a letter last month demanding that it take down its adult services section, saying the company was not doing enough to deter prostitution and child trafficking. whether Craigslist could be found liable is a murky legal issue, but pressure on the company grew after some highly publicized incidents where authorities said encounters set up through Craigslist ended in violence and even death.
A former medical student, Philip Markoff, was accused of killing a masseuse he met through Craigslist. He committed suicide last month in the Boston jail where he was awaiting trial.
Craigslist, which is largely free, has been under prosecutors’ scrutiny for years. It tried to police the postings on its adult services page by charging a fee to post the ads and requiring them to be vetted and approved. the section carried ads for a variety of erotic services, including personal massages and a night’s companionship, which critics say veered into prostitution.
Some ads still carried in Craigslist’s personals section look like they could fall in similar territory. “I am the perfect lunchtime or after-5 companion for businessmen that jet-set, work long hours or have family obligations,” read one ad in the casual encounters section, appearing to advertise massages.
Craigslist’s personal ads, which are free, are not regularly vetted. M. Ryan Calo, a senior research fellow at the Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School, said ads for sexual services could become harder to monitor if they begin migrating back into the personals.
It also could be more challenging for law enforcement to pick out the illegal ads.
“Instead of being in a small stream, it’s going to be in a big ocean,” Calo said.
Those trying to sell sex who give up on Craigslist have many other sites to choose from. as Craigslist users complained about the company’s move in postings Sunday, some rattled off the names of other sites where they could find the same services.
Many say ‘censored’ bar won’t end web solicitation
07 Sep 2010
by in online gambling laws Tags: mlb, ncaa, nhl, uefa
Posted on | September 6, 2010 | 50 Comments
2007 Men’s NCAA Tennis UGA beats FloridaVideo Rating: 4 / 5
www.centsports.com Q: what is CentSports? a: CentSports is just one of many places on the Internet where you can place bets on major sporting events. what makes CentSports unique is that we’re actually legal. Currently you can’t run a gambling website from inside the US This site is more like a fantasy football game … we give you a small amount of play-money to start out with … you make bets with this, just like you could in Vegas … but, again, you’re just betting with ‘play money’. however, if you do well enough … ie, if you win enough of your play-money bets, we’ll actually let you ‘cash out’ your play money for real money … and maybe other stuff like t-shirts, CentSports gear, etc. Q: what sports can I bet on? a: Basically everything: NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, UFC, Boxing, ATP and WTA Tennis, Arena Football, Rugby, and more than 20 flavors of soccer, including England, Germany, Spain, Italy, Brazil, France, Mexico, UEFA league, and I could keep going forever. Q: who developed manages CentSports … and why? a: CentSports is being developed by a group of students and professionals based out of College Station, Texas. given the location, most, though not all of us, are associated in some way or another with Texas A&M University. The project started in response to last year’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (which, shamefully, was officially termed the “Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act …
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2007 Men’s NCAA Tennis UGA beats Florida
05 Sep 2010
by in online gambling laws Tags: credit cards, gamblers, ruin, shopping
My husband gambles online and has lost all of our money and he continues to do so even though our credit cards are maxed and they won't let him. I want to try to make it illegal to gamble online in Texas.
i thought it was already illegal nationwide
You're trying to ruin the fun for everyone because your husband hs a problem. get him to Gamblers Anonymous!
Divorce the bastard and let those who enjoy gambling responsibly do so. why does everything have to be ruined, outlawed, and demonized because of a couple bad apples?!
I agree 100% with Steven. would you like someone to outlaw shopping because someone is a shopaholic? what about bringing back prohibition because of a few alcoholics. while we are at it, why not just ban sex too and make it illegal to procreate because there are some people out there who are addicted to sex.
Try to see this from other people's points of veiw.
I am FOR online gambling. I believe it is our constitutional right, just like we have a right to walk into a land based casino, or to stay out!
You should encourage your husband to seek all the help and treatment you and he can find working together. Stand by his side, but remember He has to WANT TO STOP in order to stop or all your efforts are for nothing. If he is willing to seek help, first step is to destroy all credit cards and get all bank accounts and money in your name. Put him on a very limited allowance…one where you know where it is all being spent. Pay all the bills and don't let him anywhere near the checkbook. If he can't see how this is affecting your relationship, then maybe it is time to step away. just remember, he needs you now more than ever, and gambling is an addiction for some.
From someone who loves to gamble.
So because your husband is an idiot and you didn't love him enough to get him into Gambler's Anon you want to ruin it for everyone? He'd still gamble if it was illegal youknow.
I'm sorry that your husband has such a bad gambling problem, but don't go ruin it for others who want to play. its not my fault that he can't control himself and the amount of money he losses. I live in Las Vegas and i don't play any table games or slots, but i do play a fair amount of poker in real casinos and on-line as well. I know when i am losing, i quit and go home, if you can't quit then you shouldn't play at all. If others want to gamble its their money to spend how they see fit, you should have stepped in a long time ago before things got so bad.
I'm sorry to hear about your husbands problem, especially since it seems like it's on the verge of becoming yours (by sticking you with some tough financial burdens). take a breath……in…out…in ..out. first, if your credit cards are maxed out and he can't get any more action, he will have a difficult time running them up any more. Second, you're not alone. There are other people whose loved-ones have this addiction. There are organizations who can help you and your husband. Look in the yellow pages for "addiction counselling" groups. You have a computer so try looking up info on the web. You can even find out from your doctor because gambling addiction is a disease and can be treated. Educate yourself to help you understand what your husband is going through and how you can help him. one of the first things you will learn is he can't be helped if he doesn't think he has a problem and that's entirely up to him. Something else you will get is a lot of support for YOU. You're in this to, if you still want to be, and you're going to need help from people who know and understand what you're going through too. good luck and keep trying!
How about changing his password.
Most people want gambling online banned. however, sports betting and poker are skill games and should not be banned. Though the government still wants to allow horse racing and lottery online of course because it benefits them.
Currently there is much legislation amongst our lawmakers dealing with this issue. I recommend contacting your local elected officials and start there.
How can I help make internet gambling illegal?
04 Sep 2010
by in online gambling laws Tags: hoops, internet gambling, presence, western european countries
The foreign casino online gambling companies have got a bit of relief, because the European commission has pulled up the polish government for its disregard in the internet gambling regulations. The East European market of internet gambling has been the hottest topic for a few months now. this is because; there is hope that the European online casinos can be expanded easily, with the presence of the new market. The drafting regulations of Poland are following the protected western European countries, which continue to generate several problems to the commission of Europe, even if the commission has issued threats, warnings and citations. The regulations of Polish are aimed clearly by providing favorable access, based on the companies of Polish, and also compete for the unfair share of licensing market.
The exact issues which, the commission has with the gambling policies of online casinos, where it includes the specifications that, any site of internet gambling which operates in Poland is not only to operate the server within the country, but also the gaming site requires to prove the financial contribution to the economy of Poland as well. These are some restrictions which unfairly allow the online casinos to jump through the regulatory hoops in various countries, in spite of the policies of European Union that considers the free commerce, and trade between every member in European Union.
The officials of Poland have agreed to do some planning in order to alter some important regulations, in order to meet the demands in the agreement of European commission, but online casino companies in foreign countries are naturally worried that, Poland will follow the country of France, and also exceed the controversial regulations, in spite of the objections and concerns, from the European commission.
Poland is the country to have received the notice from European commission, which governs the laws that concerning online gambling, which are not in the observance with European Union trade regulations. European commission has released a judgment that, the drafted law of Poland is unfairly supporting the domestic operators, over the various companies of online casino, within its trade association.
The European commission allows the companies to receive the license from any of the member nation, in order to operate all over the national borders, but the measures of Poland requires the gaming companies to have physical and financial presence in its country. Servers are located in Poland, and also the operators have to establish the local corporation. The proposal of polish requires all the transactions, which have to carry out by the banks within the country of Poland.
Many complaints have been received from betting associations and European gaming associations, which has rendered the Polish issue as a problematic one. Various officials of Poland country say that, the draft law might leave the consumer without the secure, fair, and competitive market of online gambling. European Union warned the local law makers that, the problems are still arising with the new Polish gambling laws, which is sent to the European commission.
It is believed strongly that, the new Polish law of gambling favors the business interests of Poland, over the members of European Union, who requires the providers of online casinos in the country of Poland. this regulation represents the violation of trade agreements within European Union, as the chief stopping point for various proposals in gambling drafting law.
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Polish Online Casino Laws Called Out
04 Sep 2010
by in online gambling laws Tags: affiliate program, internet gambling, new york state, nj man
Recently a NJ man was convicted of promoting gambling through his website but he was only part of an affiliate program. what is new York's state law regarding the same?
What is New York State's law regarding Internet gambling?
04 Sep 2010
by in online gambling laws Tags: casino operator, gambler, jackpot, mexico lawyer, new mexico, sovereign nations
The U.S. government has for years recognized the "tribal sovereignty" as the cornerstone of the recognized Indian legal authority.
Even when it comes to gambling. And gambling has become big business for various Indian tribes across the nation.
Read more Casino Industry News articles
In 2009, according to records kept by the National Indian Gaming Association, tribal casinos in the U.S. wracked up $26.2 billion in revenues.
However, most U.S. gamblers aren’t aware that unlike other casinos in the U.S. those that function on Indian reservations do not operate under U.S. law. in other words, a dispute between the house at a tribal casino and a gambler is adjudicated in a tribal court, not a U.S. court.
It’s time that ended, says a New Mexico lawyer who represents a gambler that was denied a jackpot because the tribal casino operator claimed the slot machine malfunctioned.
He took his case to a state District Court where it was thrown out on the grounds of tribal sovereignty. A later decision by the New Mexico Court of Appeals upheld the initial ruling.
So the lawyer has taken the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that tribal gambling is a wealthy business that is conducted across state lines in the U.S. It’s time, he says, for the Supreme Court to revisit an 1831 ruling that established Indian tribes as sovereign nations.
"Tribes spend millions of dollars every year to lure non-Native Americans onto their grounds to gamble," wrote the lawyer. "Then," he added, "when someone feels they’ve been cheated, they say, ‘Sorry, you can’t sue us.’
"Is this fair?" he asks.
Tags 1. by Diane August 17th, 2010 at 10:35 AM.
<a href="http://www.gamingtoday.com/articles/article/27009-Lawyer_says_Indian_gaming_growth_should_end_tribal_sovereigntytag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.gamingtoday.com/articles/article/27009-Lawyer_says_Indian_gaming_growth_should_end_tribal_sovereigntyMon, 16 Aug 2010 16:47:55 GMT 00:00″>Gaming Today :: Articles :: Lawyer says Indian gaming growth should end tribal sovereignty
04 Sep 2010
by in online gambling laws Tags: affiliate program, internet gambling, new york state, nj man
Recently a NJ man was convicted of promoting gambling through his website but he was only part of an affiliate program. What is New York's state law regarding the same?
What is New York State's law regarding Internet gambling?
03 Sep 2010
by in online gambling laws Tags: commission members, electronic devices, electronic game
Friday, August 27, 2010
Martinsville officials are proposing to regulate new businesses expected to open in the city that give customers an opportunity to win money or prizes through Internet sweepstakes. The Martinsville planning Commission on Thursday prepared proposed rules that will be the focus of a public hearing on Sept. 16. If the panel endorses them, the rules will go to the Martinsville City Council, which will hold its own hearing before considering them for final approval, probably in October. Commission members expressed an urgency to develop rules for Internet sweepstakes businesses, also known as Internet cafes and electronic game rooms. The sweepstakes are controversial because gambling is involved. according to a commission report, such businesses use electronic devices, including computers and gaming terminals, to conduct games of chance or odds, and cash, merchandise or other items of value can be distributed. Customers buy Internet time to play the games, officials said. “You can go online at home and play these games” but only for points, said Martinsville Commissioner of the Revenue Ruth Easley. to be eligible for cash or prizes, a person must play the sweepstakes at the businesses, officials said. Electronic gaming operations do not include the Virginia Lottery or video game arcades, a definition in the report shows. also, the proposed rules “shouldn’t affect convenience stores with a couple of little (electronic) games” that mostly kids play, said commission Chairman Tim Martin. Wayne Knox, the city’s director of community development, said Internet sweepstakes businesses became legal in Virginia on July 1. however, they have been banned in North Carolina effective Dec. 1, he said, and officials expect such businesses there to move into the Martinsville area soon. State Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli rendered an opinion that Internet sweepstakes businesses could operate in Virginia legally, Knox said. Easley said her office has issued business licenses to two such businesses, and requests for licenses for three more are pending. City officials said they expect more to pursue such licenses. by developing rules for Internet sweepstakes businesses, the city is not trying to discourage new businesses from opening, Martin said. Rather, Knox said, as with any new type of business, “you don’t want enterprises to run rampant” to the point they cannot be controlled. Under the city’s proposed rules, Internet sweepstakes businesses would be allowed only in C-1, C-1A and C-3 commercial zoning districts and M-1 and M-2 manufacturing districts. Officials emphasized that they do not think the C-2 district — uptown — is right for such businesses. As a result, the businesses would be able to locate only on and near some heavily traveled roads such as Commonwealth and Memorial boulevards and Church Street, officials indicated. any such businesses already open when the rules take effect would be grandfathered into their zoning districts, they said. New Internet sweepstakes businesses would have to be granted a special-use permit to open. Commission member Barbara Cousin said that when a business closes, having to receive a permit would keep another one from automatically opening at that location. No alcoholic beverages or children would be allowed in the businesses, which would not be able to locate within 1,000 feet of a residential area, playground or school, the proposed rules show. The businesses “could be a negative influence on our youth,” Knox said. Hours of operation would be restricted to between 10 a.m. and midnight, according to the proposed rules. Commission member James Crigger Sr. asked if the city could impose a tax on electronic machines used in the businesses. North Carolina localities have had that power, but Virginia localities do not, Easley said. Localities in Virginia can do only what the state empowers them to do, so because the General Assembly has not given them authority to enact taxes on electronic gaming machines, they cannot do so, she said. Henry County already is able to regulate Internet sweepstakes businesses through rules that have been on the books for years, said county planning Director Lee Clark. “We treat these facilities like any other type of public recreation” business, such as pool halls and arcades, Clark said. a special-use permit is required for those businesses, he said. one Internet sweepstakes business opened in the county, but it was forced to close because it had not received a permit, he added. Clark said he has “probably had at least a couple of dozen inquiries” recently from people wanting to open such businesses in the county. Inquiries “have been from all over the county,” he said, including Collinsville, Bassett, Ridgeway, Stanleytown and the commercial area around Walmart. one application is pending, but so far, nobody has completed the permitting process, Clark said. He anticipates the county eventually will receive more permit requests, he said.
City mulls Internet gaming – Martinsville Bulletin
02 Sep 2010
by in online gambling laws Tags: 35k, assists, haze, rebounds
- PUBLISHED Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 at 9:42 am EDT
Sporting News
Marcus Jordan, the 19-year-old son of NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, is having some recent partying in Las Vegas investigated by Nevada gambling regulators, according to the associated Press.
Officials were examining whether the casino operator violated laws prohibiting drinking or gambling by minors, Nevada Gaming Control Board enforcement chief Jerry Markling said.
People under 21 often try to gamble or drink in Las Vegas, but punishment for casino operators depend on the circumstances, Markling said.
the investigation stems from a series of posts on Twitter by Marcus Jordan.
“Last night was stupid … 35k at Haze… Totals 50k something the whole day.. Damn!! Going to the pool again today.. Gotta relax!”
Marcus Jordan later tried to downplay the posts on Twitter when speaking with Fox Sports.
I didn’t mean it the way it came across,” Marcus Jordan said. “My family and friends know the type of person I am.”
During his freshman season at Central Florida, Marcus Jordan averaged 8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Information from the associated Press was used in this report.
Marcus Jordan’s partying under investigation
01 Sep 2010
by in online gambling laws Tags: academics, ace, football games, founders, mom, university of colorado
Parents have long rewarded their kids by paying them cash for each a they bring home on their report cards.
But now a Web site will pay out students who ace their classes. Unlike mom and dad, though, the bookies are betting against students’ good grades.
Call it grade gambling.
A Web site dubbed “Ultrinsic” is taking wagers from students at 36 college this fall. so far, students from the University of Colorado haven’t been invited to play, but the founders plan to add more schools.
Just as Las Vegas sports books place odds on football games, Ultrinsic will pay students top dollar for A’s, less for a B-average, and so on.
Legal experts say it’s murky. Academics aren’t warm to it. and students are mixed.
Here’s how CEO Steven Wolf says the Web site works: a student registers, uploads his or her schedule and gives Ultrinsic access to official school records. The New York-based site then calculates odds based on the student’s college history and any information it can dig up on the difficulty of each class, the topic and other factors. The student decides how much to wager up to a cap that starts at $25 and increases with use.
Incoming students, for example, can bet $20 they will graduate with a 4.0. if they actually do, they’ll get paid out $2,000.
CU graduate Brittany Bilderback wishes should could have betted on her academics.
“I would be rolling in Benjamins right now!” she said.
Bilderback was among the half-dozen students honored at last spring’s commencement who aced her college career. (CU awarded 5,825 degrees at the ceremony). Typically, there are just a few straight-A graduates.
Bilderback will be heading to South America later this fall with “WorldTeach,” and teach English in Columbia for a year. Then, she’ll take the LSAT and hopefully go to New York University for international law.
Bilderback got all A’s in high school and figured why stop.
“I stopped playing sports after high school, so I channeled all of my competitive oomph into school,” she said.
Wolf insists this is not online gambling, which is technically illegal in the United States, because wagers with Ultrinsic involve skill.
“The students have 100 percent control over it, over how they do. Other people’s stuff you bet on — your own stuff you invest in,” Wolf says. “Everything’s true about it, I’m just trying to say that the underlying concept is a little bit more than just making a bet — it’s actually an incentive.”
A spokesman for Colorado’s gaming said he couldn’t comment because the department just regulates casinos.
Legal definitions of gambling usually list three elements — chance, some sort of fee or wager and a prize, says I. Nelson Rose, a gambling law expert and professor at Whittier Law School in California.
Carnival games offer prizes for a fee, but skill is ostensibly required to win. Contests advertised on cereal boxes offer prizes and winners are chosen by chance, but the box always says “no purchase necessary.”
With Ultrinsic, things are less clear.
“It’s not entirely within the control of the (player),” Rose says, offering the example of a professor of his who gave everyone A’s after learning he wouldn’t be considered for tenure. another teacher could be equally capricious in handing out C’s. “But it is mostly within their control.”
Ultrinsic’s lawyers say it has nothing to worry about because getting good grades takes skill and students are betting on themselves, Wolf says.
CU freshman Colleen Coleman said she would never place money on her GPA.
“I will try to get good grades for myself,” she said.
CU’s Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education Michael Grant’s response to the Web site?
“Good grief,” he said.
“We faculty cling to the optimistic view that students do not view grades as the end all and be all of our courses and this seems to provide a new item working to further strengthen grade emphasis,” Grant said.
If the entrepreneurs are successful, he said, it means they are taking student’s money successfully, just as in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
At CU-Boulder, the odds of earning a 4.0 over the entire degree are roughly 1 in 3,000, based on the number who graduate with that GPA each spring and the size of the first-year class.
Christie Hickman, another one of CU’s 4.0 graduates, said she didn’t even plan on getting straight A’s throughout college. Rather, to just go to class and try her best on homework and tests.
If she had the option, she would have placed a $20 bet on herself — but just for fun.
“I think that it’s a really cool idea and a great way to get students motivated to think about their potential in college, however they should be personally motivated to do their best on their own,” Hickman said.
Lindsay Talbot, who graduated from CU with a perfect straight-A record last spring, said she would have absolutely bet on her grades.
“In high school my parents encouraged me to view school as my job, so I wasn’t allowed to work, but I was paid — very small amounts — for my grades,” Talbot said.
The money helped cover her gas and movie money. At her middle school, students who had all A’s were also given savings bonds for college.
“I think planting the idea in a student’s head that there is the possibility, and on top of that, the reward, makes it incredibly motivating for others.”
The associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact Camera Staff Writer Brittany Anas at 303-473-1132 or anasb@dailycamera.com.
<a href="http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_15852248tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_15852248Mon, 23 Aug 2010 05:27:19 GMT 00:00″>College students gamble on grades
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