Neteller, ePassporte... and Citadel!

[img_assist|nid=8024|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=47] Continuing its persecution of online gambling business the US government has fined Citadel, Canada-based payment processor. In case of non-payment the persecution would have been continued.

In 5 years (2002- 2007) ESI Entertainment Systems collected over $2 billion. Through its Citadel subsidiary, its payment method supported online casino sites based outside the US. About 80% of ESI's business was conducted through Citadel, and online gambling related payments made the majority of its web-generated income.

This week the US Attorney's office in Manhattan, announced that ESI will pay $9.1 million. If it avoids wrongdoing in the next 18 months, it will officially avoid being prosecuted on a conspiracy charge.
UIGEA ban on online gambling in the US is enforced firstly through credit card companies and payment method providers. Another company that complies with the US probe and has already agreed to pay $136 million in a separate agreement is Neteller. British BetOnSports was also found guilty of a racketeering conspiracy. The motives are not clear. It is looked at by the industry as a suspect in compliance with the US authorities, whose right to ban online gambling is questionable under international trade laws to begin with.