IT’S LEGAL AND SAFE TO ATTEND

The arrest of David Carruthers has caused a great deal of confusion. It has even raised anxiety that individuals and companies involved in online gambling are all in danger of arrest by U.S. authorities at any time, anywhere without warning.

The truth is, such actions are rare, and need substantial justification. Even the most aggressive law enforcement agents are not allowed to snatch people at random. If you are making a good faith effort to comply with the law you have nothing to fear.

Some have expressed worries that they may be arrested merely for travelling to I-gaming conferences and seminars, even outside the USA. This is not the case. Cross-border detention and extradition is not attempted lightly. This is a complex and lengthy process, reserved for egregious offenses and especially evasive wrongdoers . No one violates U.S. gambling law just by attending a convention, especially when the convention is not even on American territory!

I think we need to remind ourselves:

See you there.

Martin D. Owens Jr.
Attorney at Law
Sacramento, CA
August 9, 2006