As many of you undoubtedly already aware, Congress pushed through a law this week that prohibits US banks and credit card companies from handling any money related to online gambling. A law professor who specializes in gaming law has an analysis out on the new law, and says gambling site affiliates - mere affiliates - can be subject to criminal penalties once the law takes effect. "The greatest danger here would seem to be with affiliates. Any American operator can be easily grabbed. This includes sites that don’t directly take bets, but do refer visitors to gaming sites. If the affiliate is paid for those referrals by receiving a share of the money wagered or lost, it would not be difficult to charge the affiliate with violating this law, under the theory of aiding and abetting. Being a knowing accomplice and sharing in the proceeds of a crime make the aider and abettor guilty of the crime itself. The federal government could also charge the affiliate with conspiracy to violate this new Act." © Copyright 2006, all rights reserved worldwide. GAMBLING AND THE LAW® is a registered trademark of Professor I Nelson Rose, www.GAMBLINGANDTHELAW.com. http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=7508486 I'm not sure that prosecutors are actually going to bother going as far down in the food chain as your average affiliate, but the good professor is one of the leading experts in the field and seems to have a good reputation with folks in the industry. What goes for affiliates will go double for folks higher up the food chain, such as SEOs advising gaming sites on how to increase their US traffic. If you are a gambling affiliate or have a gambling related site, you ought to read the professor's article, and perhaps talk with a gaming law attorney.
Yea, this has been talked about a lot in the gambling webmaster community. Now that a watered down version of the original bill has been passed, the talk is heating up to a feverish pitch.
Not a good day to be holding shares of PartyGaming. Down 58% on the London exchange today. WOW! A couple billion dollars goes puff into nothingness, overnight.