The American Gaming Association and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have announced a joint initiative to combat illegal online gambling, with a particular emphasis on sports betting.
In August, the FBI launched its Internet Sports Books Initiative in a bid to ‘disrupt and dismantle criminal enterprises through prosecution and forfeiture.” On Tuesday, the AGA announced it would aid this effort by promoting the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
The IC3 is an online tool intended to allow Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Public to submit tips and complaints regarding online crimes, regardless of whether they’re the direct victim of said crime or an unaffected third party observer.
J. Chris Warrener, deputy asst. director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, said the partnership with the AGA leverages the IC3 to combat “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.” Geoff Freeman, CEO of the AGA, said his group’s partnership with the FBI would help achieve “significant headway in the fight against illegal gambling.”
