11 charged in US in Internet gambling operation

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2006

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Eleven people have been charged in a US crackdown on a multibillion-dollar Internet sports betting website with operations in Britain, Antigua and elsewhere, prosecutors said.

An indictment unsealed Monday charges the operators, British-incorporated BetOnSports, with illegally taking bets from US residents and failing to pay US taxes on 3.3 billion dollars in wagers from the United States.

Five of those indicted, including the British head of BetOnSports, have been arrested on the charges since the indictment was returned June 1, the Justice Department said.

US authorities were seeking extradition of the others charged in the scheme, as well as the forfeiture of 4.5 billion dollars in assets.

A federal judge in Missouri on Monday...