Kaplan Gets Four Years for Online Gambling
November 27, 2009
In another blow for online gambling enthusiasts, Gary Kaplan was sentenced to 51 months in prison for his role within the industry. Kaplan is well known for the fact that he is the creator of BetonSports. This online gambling site was very popular within the United Kingdom as well as with in the United States – which is what got him into trouble.
Kaplan had entered a plea of guilty to the charges of racketeering, conspiracy and other charges as they related to online gambling. The United States Department of Justice had brought charges against Kaplan, and he had entered into a guilty plea instead of fighting them. Many within the online gambling community hoped that he would fight instead, thus strengthening their case against the UIGEA.
He was arrested in the Dominican Republic in March 2007, and was charged with offering online gambling to US patrons. His sister and brother assisted him with the creation of the online gambling site and are awaiting sentencing as well. Kaplan has been under arrest all this time, so he is actually only looking at about another year in prison. He was held as he was allegedly considered a flight risk. He is forfeiting $50 million in online gambling profits, but the money he holds in Swiss accounts will be released to him.
David Carruthers also helped create the online gambling site and is due to be sentenced at the beginning og next year. He has also plead guilty to online gambling. The online gambling site was popular among their clients, and those within the US say that it has become much more difficult to participate since the site has been blocking US players.
