FYI Assets Forfeiture and Financial Crimes division

New U.S. Department Goes After Online Gambling


A new task force has been created by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Baltimore, Maryland to attack online gambling companies in the United States. The new department is called the Assets Forfeiture and Financial Crimes division and is out to tackle illegal online gambling activity on U.S. soil.

The leader of the new division is headed by U.S. Attorney, Rod Rosenstein, who received instructions from the U.S. Justice Department to “follow the money” when it comes to criminal cases involving money laundering or fraud.

Rosenstein, said, “Seizing and forfeiting ill-gotten gains enables us to take the profit out of crime and use the proceeds to compensate victims,” adding, “This new unit will work with federal authorities and with state and local officials on a wide range of cases in which federal forfeiture and money laundering statutes can help punish and deter crime. Federal laws allow us to pursue forfeiture of assets for many crimes, including mortgage fraud. Assets subject to forfeiture may include the fruits of crime, such as homes and vehicles purchased with criminal proceeds, and also the instrumentalities of crime, such as computers, vehicles and real estate used by criminals.”

One of their most recent cases involves the online gambling industry where undercover feds were investigating Golden Casino by calling up customer service agents and asking them to break the rules. The new task force is out looking for blood which is actually a good thing and will definitely keep online gambling companies in line.

The key to watch:  If they go after actual US players.  Going after US based online casinos is nothing new.  This has been happening for a few years.  Once they start arresting players, or seizing their bank accounts, then things will be a giant mess.