Monday, November 20, 2006

Rumors of another online gambling company indicted by the US Justice
Department have sent shockwaves through an industry still reeling from the
takedown of 33 stateside bookies and agents utilizing various offshore
gambling components. The stories circulating remain vague at this time,
however they have nothing to do with the high profile New York case that
came to light on Tuesday. "An attorney for the individual indicted confirmed
the story but would not reveal the identity or his/her relationship to a
specific company," said a Gambling911.com source. He suggested that more
news would become available on Monday but failed to elaborate further.
Gambling911.com was the first to report on 33 arrests by the Queens DA
office Tuesday. DA Richard A. Brown held a press conference the following
day to announce the indictments, considered the biggest case of its kind to
date with its focus on transportation of gambling proceeds between New York
and Las Vegas. The case scared many industry analysts after authorities
announced the first ever indictments of web designers in a case revolving
around online gambling. The Bronx-based enterprise offered "credit" betting
via a website located on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten. A defendant
in another high profile internet gambling case from last year provided
authorities with ammunition to go after the Bronx organization, headed up by
James Giordano, who resided in both New York and Miami. Giordanno is an
accomplished poker player. His Pro5 Sports and BetWithAl.com web gambling
companies are alleged to have been fronts for a major money laundering
outfit.