Attorney General bans Internet gambling at cyber cafes - South Coast Today

June 25, 2011 12:25 AM

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley issued a new permanent regulation Friday that bans gambling at so-called Internet cafes.

The regulation was filed under the Consumer Protection Act, and is nearly identical to an emergency measure the attorney general issued on April 17 after receiving complaints of alleged illegal gambling facilities across Massachusetts.

The emergency regulations were filed one week after state police raided Internet cafes in Fairhaven and Fall River owned by Fall River City Councilor Leo Pelletier, as well another facility in Chicopee.

Pelletier said Friday that he had not seen the new regulation, but added that he believed the courts ultimately will decide the legality of Internet cafes and gambling.

"We think that we're right, and that's why we're fighting it in court," Pelletier said.

In addition to the new regulation, Coakley's office said Friday it had initiated a criminal investigation into alleged illegal gaming at facilities that claimed to be Internet Cafes in Bristol and Hampden counties.

Coakley said in a statement that the regulation will enforce "long-standing gambling laws and protect consumers.

"The regulation makes clear that companies cannot skirt our laws by disguising gambling as something else, such as the sale of Internet access.

These establishments were illegal when they started, and they are illegal now," Coakley said.

Coakley's office issued the emergency regulation in April after questions arose about alleged unlawful gambling operations that had recently opened for business across Massachusetts.

According to the Attorney General's Office, those businesses purported to sell goods such as phone cards, and services such as Internet gambling, as a pretext for unlawful lotteries, online slot parlors, sweepstakes and similar gambling.

The new regulation makes clear those practices are illegal.

Local municipal officials previously praised the new regulations, and said they would notify establishments of the order for them to cease operations.

Pelletier said Friday he believed he had done nothing wrong, and said the attorney general should reconsider the regulations.

"We'd like to get back to business," he said. "If everything works out, we'll be back."

Reader Reaction We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Rules. We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment. New comments are only accepted for two weeks from the date of publication.
Not sure how to add your comment? Here's how

Source: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110625/NEWS/106250334/0/FRONTPAGE

www.mdanielslaw.com albuquerque bankruptcy lawyer albuquerque bankruptcy lawyers bankruptcy lawyers albuquerque albuquerque bankruptcy attorney