US Goes After the Big Fish

Richard Lee never saw himself making such headlines. The star poker player has had his day in the limelight in 2006, when he finished sixth at the World Series of Poker that year. Unfortunately for him, Lee has also drawn the attention of the San Antonio police department, which has been investigating him for over a year with the district attorney's office of Bexar County, Texas.

Online Gambling Charges
The charges placed against Lee are for online gambling. The authorities claim he, along with four other partners, has been behind a sports gambling website, betbsbnow.com.

All five were charged with the misdemeanor, which carries penalties of up to a year in jail and/or $4,000 fine. It is likely that the sides will reach a deal, which will keep them out of prison. But what will it take from Lee and his partners?

Earlier this year, Lee received a visit from police, who seized millions in cash from his San Antonio home (one of several) and a number of cars. It will suffice to say that Lee has had $2.7 million confiscated from his home, along with a 2005 Lexus LX470, a 2005 Mercedes S430 and a 2004 Toyota 4Runner.

These will be held by the authorities as leverage, and a good deal of it will likely be kept by the district attorney's office in the final deal.

In his defense, Lee claims the money seized and the money used to purchase the luxury cars is the money won at the WSOP, when he came in at sixth place. He will be given the chance to present his side of the story on November 7, when the two sides will be arraigned.

The Effect
Though it is no secret that many Americans engage in online gambling, even today, a full year since the ban was imposed in the US, the authorities have strategically chosen a big fish to prosecute. It is a wise move, from the police perspective, earning it headlines and making waves with a famous person charged in court.

But the affair has another side to it too. The large amounts, the mass following and the exciting world of gambling also make it into the news, and many who read about Lee's (past) success are exposed to the life, fun and excitement that poker offers.

The WSOP also enjoys free publicity, in advance of the upcoming tournament, the 39th Annual event, already publishing the schedule for the May 30 through July 17 event and opening pre-registration especially early in anticipation of great demand.