Mississippi Gaming Commission seized computers from Internet Cafe

[Mousey]

West Point seizure of computers highlights Internet gambling crackdown

By June C. Straight
jstraight@cdispatch.com

Monday, September 24, 2007 2:31 PM CDT



Maybe they were and maybe they weren't. But if you are, you're committing a felony.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission seized dozens of computers from Internet Cafe in downtown West Point a couple weeks ago. And MGC officials are tight-lipped about whether or not the business was being used for Internet gambling.

“I never said that they were participating in Internet gambling,” Eddie Williams, MGC deputy director, said.

The cafe, which is located at 411-D West Main St. and is reportedly owned by Ronnie Moore and Jeff Moore, was shut down after the MGC seized 40 computers on Sept. 12.

The closure comes at a time when the MGC is combating a rash of businesses offering illegal gambling machines.


“There's numerous places all over Mississippi that have illegal gambling machines,” said Williams, who noted MGC seizures are not uncommon.

MGC regulates gambling throughout the state including casinos and charity bingo; the agency is also responsible for finding and investigating any illegal gambling reported in the state.

Illegal gambling machines aren't restricted to computers though Internet gambling is a felony offense, according to Williams. Other illegal gambling machines include illegal slot machines and similar gambling devices.

Many U.S. casinos have Internet gambling sites, but their use is restricted in the U.S., elaborated Williams, and casinos must take precautions not to allow bets from gamblers within the country. It's not illegal, however, for patrons to access these sites from outside the country or for casinos to offer them to foreign clients.

A visit from within the U.S. to many online casino Web sites will garner an “access forbidden” page with a similar version of the following gamblingplanet.org message: “Due to recent events and legislative developments in the United States such as the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act 2006 and the lack of legal clarity regarding Internet gambling and online casinos in that jurisdiction, GamblingPlanet.org regrets to inform its visitors that the site will no longer be advertising online gambling sites to US residents.”



With the investigation still pending, Clay County Justice Court officials are keeping information about West Point's Internet Cafe case under wraps.

“They're trying to present (the case) t...

[winbig]

Yea, go get 'em guys.

If they were to hunt down dangerous, violent and still at large criminals as much as they are going after online gamblers (same thing, right? Felons), it would be so much safer for everyone to be outside after dark.

You only need 2 words to describe MS' motivation to charge people gambling online with a felony:

Riverboat Gambling

The way they see it: If you want to gamble, fine. Just do it at the local casinos, NOT ONLINE. That way we can be sure to tax you if you win big, and if you lose, we'll just get our take from the casino.

[lojo]

O M m'er f'ing G when did miss become part of la?

It could be illegal to offer a cafe style opportunity, but these putz' will not make a case for patrons in their own homes breaking the law by gambling in online casinos.

Nice little sneak attack to try to chip away, get some precedences set to be upheld in superior court and then re-interpretted as case law against individual rights to gamble online.

Will have to wait and see what they try before getting too riled up.

Thanks Mousey, you are on the ball as usual

[DakWinner]

With the rise in gang violence, drugs, murders,etc. the feds are doing this! What has this got to do with this country's security? I think they are hot on the trail of some old lady's bingo winnings.

[pokeraddict]

Illegal gambling machines aren't restricted to computers though Internet gambling is a felony offense

Since when did MS make it a felony to gamble online or is the report just wrong here?

[winbig]

Originally Posted by pokeraddict

Since when did MS make it a felony to gamble online or is the report just wrong here?

Since when is a computer a gambling device?


ARREST EVERYONE THAT HAS A COMPUTER!

[SlotsWizard]

This bullshit needs to stop! The states and feds have taken this WAY too far!

Can we please rewind the country about 8 years and start over again?

[jetset]

One aspect of this that I find intriguing (and I would be alarmed if I was a Mississippi resident) is encompassed in this paragraph of the report:

QUOTE: The Mississippi Gaming Commission seized dozens of computers from Internet Cafe in downtown West Point a couple weeks ago. And MGC officials are tight-lipped about whether or not the business was being used for Internet gambling.

“I never said that they were participating in Internet gambling,” Eddie Williams, MGC deputy director, said. UNQUOTE

The way I read that, it means that officialdom can walk into a business, confiscate 40 of its computers and stuff up its business efficiency in doing so....yet not have to give a reason.

Astonishing.

[NASHVEGAS]

Originally Posted by jetset

One aspect of this that I find intriguing (and I would be alarmed if I was a Mississippi resident) is encompassed in this paragraph of the report:

QUOTE: The Mississippi Gaming Commission seized dozens of computers from Internet Cafe in downtown West Point a couple weeks ago. And MGC officials are tight-lipped about whether or not the business was being used for Internet gambling.

“I never said that they were participating in Internet gambling,” Eddie Williams, MGC deputy director, said. UNQUOTE

The way I read that, it means that officialdom can walk into a business, confiscate 40 of its computers and stuff up its business efficiency in doing so....yet not have to give a reason.

Astonishing.

Happens all the time most specifically in federal cases where possibly money laundering,etc is suspected. Not an attorney and tired so do not quote me exactly. I believe the Fed. agencies(for sure,not sure about states) must obtain 2 signatures from 2 different judges on a warrant, then the Fed. agencies have the right to raid,search and seize any or all of one's or more's possessions as confiscated evidence in order to go back to I assume the judges,etc.(possibly grand jury but not sure) to obtain an indictment. I believe this must be done within 5 days of the actual search and seizure of evidence but I am winging this as too tired to get the accurate specifics but I am in the ballpark.

[lojo]

Didn't this same thing happen in Washington state a while back? Could be wrong about the state but J. Todd reported on the seizure of computers without cause or charges being filed...

edit: inquiring