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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Crackdown On Gambling Over Internet Continues

Associated Press

Prosecutors expanded their assault Thursday on illegal sports betting on the Internet, charging seven owners, managers and employees of five Caribbean-based sports betting companies with conspiracy.

Two of the companies were identified earlier this month when prosecutors unveiled what they described as the first federal prosecution of Internet gambling, warning companies and customers alike.

Afterward, FBI agents posing as customers found that two of the companies continued to operate, resulting in new charges Thursday.

“We will continue to monitor and vigorously prosecute offshore sports betting operations that engage in this blatantly illegal activity,” U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White said in a statement.

Meanwhile, three of the 14 people charged in an indictment unsealed on March 4 remain fugitives, prosecutors said.

Those charged Thursday include owners or employees of three sports betting operations that were not charged earlier in the month. Those were identified as the Global Sports Network in the Dominican Republic, Grand Holiday Casino in Curacao and World Wide Tele-sports in Antigua.