| It took Antigua a while to tighten up licensing regulations, but the island finally got it right. Strict laws dealing with that problem as well as money laundering have been put into effect and are enforced. In 2001, Carib relocated to Belize, where it again was operating legally in a jurisdiction which licensed gaming operations. Carib has earned an exalted position as one of the most prosperous shops in the industry due to the efforts of a small group of savvy advisors and consultants. These men are well versed in the subtleties and nuances that separate successful bookmakers from the also-rans. Most visible among them is Jon Rogers, with a long history of various bookmaking efforts, who handled marketing and also contributed day-to-day operational expertise. Dealing with sports bettors is a labor-intensive business and the best stores are those that keep all clients -- from wiseguys to recreational players -- satisfied. Carib's instinctive understanding of this principle, along with its policy of prompt payments allowed it to enjoy extraordinary growth every year. However, due to what is perceived as a vendetta by the feds against Carib, last year was the first time the sportsbook did not maintain its previous rate of growth. Based on recent activity, that is seen as a "temporary glitch," we were told. So why did the feds focus on Carib as a target? Simple. The book has always been actively marketed. Rogers was instrumental in building the company's volume and helped it achieve and maintain a sold gold reputation among the offshore books. So Carib got noticed. But a lot more than high visibility contributed to Carib's being targeted for action by the feds. It appears the U.S. embarked on a sting-like strategy to ensnare Carib, along with other Antiguan gaming companies. Upon being brought to light, this nefarious activity gives off the stench of a decaying fish, and is an embarrassment to the feds rather than a badge of investigative honor. According to information we obtained, the U.S. Government is accused of falsely representing itself as wanting to be a partner to Antigua, using a cover story that alleged the U.S. would help Antigua regulate its burgeoning online gaming industry. The rationale for offering such "assistance" was phony U.S. concern over protecting players and an interest in helping the industry evolve. C'mon, when was the last time Big Brother exhibited even the slightest interest in providing bettors with recourse to being scammed? So, it turns out that the dirty reality and the feds' true purpose was to infiltrate the industry to obtain information heretofore unavailable. That enabled them to prosecute U.S. citizens who were lawfully engaging in the very business the feds were helping "regulate." Based on an examination of documents which reveal what transpired, it is clear the U.S. never intended to be helpful to Antigua, but instead used duplicity and double-talk to burrow its way into data is had no right to see. By the time the plot was uncovered, the feds had begun prosecuting operators from Antigua, wreaking havoc on what had been a well established and regulated industry. Essentially, the U.S. government's motive in unleashing its legal tsunami against Antigua is to prevent millions of dollars in wagers from leaving the U.S. Antigua retaliated by taking the U.S. to the grievance committee of the World Trade Organization. It charged the U.S. with unlawful restraint and interference with the jurisdiction's profitable and fast-growing online gaming industry. According to Antiguan Prime Minister Lester Bird, 75 percent of the islands' gaming organizations left the jurisdiction. The WTO has heard the case and deliberations are underway. A decision is expected in March. It is worth noting that testimony from other nations was instrumental in supporting Antigua's complaint vs. the U.S. Meanwhile, back at Carib, Jon Rogers continues his efforts to recover more than $1.6 million confiscated by the government which, incidentally, still has not charged him with anything, and simply says he is the target of an investigation. Presumably, they are awaiting a decision in the WTO case. |
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