Is the FBI getting ready to raid illegal gambling - in Second Life?
FBI investigators have visited Second
Life’s Internet casinos, but has not decided on the legality of virtual
gambling.
FBI investigators have visited Second
Life’s Internet casinos at the invitation of the virtual world’s
creator Linden Lab, but the U.S. government has not decided on the legality of
virtual gambling.
The surge in Second Life gambling coincides with a crackdown in the real world by the U.S. government, which has arrested executives from offshore gambling Web sites.
Most lawyers agree that placing bets with Linden dollars likely violates U.S. anti-gambling statutes, which cover circumstances in which “something of value” is wagered. But the degree of Linden Lab’s responsibility, and the likelihood of a any crackdown, is uncertain.
Linden Lab could potentially face criminal charges under the 1970 Illegal Gambling Business Act or the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The latter law, passed last year, takes aim at credit card companies and other electronic funds transfers that enable Internet gambling.
Ahh, morality, morality. Let’s find a few more niches online requiring investigation and legislation.
The surge in Second Life gambling coincides with a crackdown in the real world by the U.S. government, which has arrested executives from offshore gambling Web sites.
Most lawyers agree that placing bets with Linden dollars likely violates U.S. anti-gambling statutes, which cover circumstances in which “something of value” is wagered. But the degree of Linden Lab’s responsibility, and the likelihood of a any crackdown, is uncertain.
Linden Lab could potentially face criminal charges under the 1970 Illegal Gambling Business Act or the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The latter law, passed last year, takes aim at credit card companies and other electronic funds transfers that enable Internet gambling.
Ahh, morality, morality. Let’s find a few more niches online requiring investigation and legislation.
Posted: Thu - April 5, 2007 at 06:27 AM