ONLINE GAMBLING'S CARRUTHERS SPEAKS

14 December 2007

But not about the day in court he still awaits after 18 months of house arrest


In July 2006, a seemingly routine business flight from London via the USA to Costa Rica turned into a long-running nightmare for the then CEO of the powerful BetonSports online gambling group, David Carruthers. Arrested on US Department of Justice sealed warrants on a raft of accusations that covers some 22 felonies, Carruthers found himself treated as a common criminal and detained.

Subsequently, he was allowed out on astronomical bail and stringent house arrest conditions. These kept him in St. Louis awaiting trial as the months slipped past and other individuals were pulled into the charges, including BoS founder Gary Kaplan, who was arrested in Dominica and extradited to the States. Kaplan remains in custody despite three requests for bail, the latest to an appeals court.

This week Interactive Gaming News editor Mark Balestra spent some time with Carruthers to find out how a dynamic business executive keeps himself busy under these difficult circumstances - aside from preparing for his day in court, that is.

In the interview, Carruthers is far from sorry for himself, and has adopted a positive and productive approach to his incarceration. Avoiding for legal reasons any discussion of his defence case, he told Balestra that after eighteen months of restriction he is still making the best of the things and looks forward to a fair trial.

Now in his fifties, Carruthers is probably in the best physical shape of his life, exercising and training for a 26.2 mile marathon run for charity next year for which he is seeking sponsors. In October he launched a Web site featuring news and information related to the online gambling industry as well as information about himself. He updates the site regularly, and blogs daily on politics, sports, health and whatever else comes to mind.

Talking about the St. Louis marathon, Carruthers told Balestra: "I was focused on trying to find a charity that was local and would help perhaps children, and I discovered that the race, the event itself, has two nominated charities – the first one being leukemia, which involves children as well as adults, and the second one being back stoppers, which is a local charity focused on people that are here to protect and serve others that have suffered great loss, and supports their families after that great loss. And I think they were very fitting and worthwhile charities. So I've decided to run with them. . . . No pun intended. And I look forward to being able to raise some money for them.

"One additional factor is that back in the U.K., my son's best friend for over 20 years was struck with leukemia in 2006 and is currently battling back well post bone marrow transplant. His name is Jonjo Roouney. He is additional motivation and an inspiration to me. His troubles started almost the same time as mine.

"There are two ways in which you can help me raise some money for these charities. One is to make a straightforward donation, to reward them for my efforts in running this race. And the other one is that I'm going to put my running vest up for sponsorship opportunity. And I intend to hold a silent auction for that opportunity. Those that are interested can submit a bid by email. There's two catches: The first catch is that it will be exclusive, so it will be expensive. And the second one is that if I can get around to 26.2 miles of a very hilly marathon course in St. Louis in under four hours, I'd like them to double their commitment, which will give me more even more motivation to ensure that we can get around this course in a respectable time.

"I've not gone about this with the view of hobbling around in six hours. I'm going to try to do it in a respectable time. And I think under four hours for the fist-time marathon for a 50-year-old who's been sat on his ass for 35 years is quite a high bar."

Carruthers says he remains in good spirits and is focusing mind and muscles where he can, ".....and I'd like to wish anybody that knows me - all my friends and colleagues and associates - a very healthy and wealthy seasons greetings."

To make a donation to David's worthwhile marathon cause, contact him at carruthers486@msn.com for details. You'll also find more information at his Web site: www.DavidCarruthers.com.

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