In any email blast to gaming colleagues shared with mGamingWatch this week, AGA chief Geoff Freeman announced that the FBI is joining the AGA in its efforts to crack down on the pervasive spread of illegal gambling in the mobile and digital age.
The AGA’s calls the FBI’s involvement a “big boost” to its initiative.
“We’re pleased to be cooperating with the nation’s top law enforcement and national security agency by touting the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3),” Freeman writes. “The IC3 is the FBI’s national platform for receiving information on any cyber-affiliated crime. It’s an invaluable tool for people in every state to report tips about the multi-billion dollar illegal gambling sector that preys on consumers, steals jobs and deprives state and local governments of revenues generated by the legal, regulated casino gaming industry.”
J. Chris Warrener, deputy assistant director of FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, agrees with the AGA boss.
“This joint initiative leverages the Internet Crime Complaint Center network to address transnational organized crime groups that use illegal gambling, most notably internet sports gambling, as a means to finance other forms of violent and illicit activities,” Warrener explains. “Establishing and maintaining strong partnerships with public and private industry counterparts is essential in combating illegal gambling.”
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