Canadian firm to pay $9.1 million in NY Internet gambling case
13 hours ago
NEW YORK — A Canadian company has agreed to pay $9.1 million to resolve charges that it facilitated illegal Internet gambling by processing payments for U.S. customers, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Federal prosecutors in New York said a subsidiary of ESI Entertainment Systems processed more than $2 billion in wagers for American gamblers between 2003 and 2007, a time period when there was confusion within the industry over the reach of U.S. law.
The company abruptly halted payments and began cooperating with prosecutors after executives of a rival Internet payment company that specialized in gambling, Neteller PLC, were arrested after setting foot on U.S. soil.
As part of a deal to avoid similar prosecution, ESI has admitted to criminal wrongdoing, will turn over some of its profits and implement ...