Anti-hacking Law Inquiry
On April 29th representatives from new media industries and members of parliament will hold a public inquiry to discuss whether the UK's anti-hacking law-- The Computer Misuse Act of 1990-- is effective enough to cover new hi-tech crimes like DDoS attacks. Derek Wyatt, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Internet Group, explained, "We need to know if the law, both in the UK and elsewhere, needs strengthening to ensure that we can deter bad behavior, and also prosecute and convict where necessary.” The inquiry will attempt to determine whether the act is broad enough, whether its generic definitions are still valid today, whether any loopholes must be patched, whether any revisions are necessary, and whether its penalties are sufficient deterrents.
Call Centers Not Exempt From VAT
London's Court of Appeals declared today that companies that provide call center facilities for bookmakers but play no role in fixing odds or determining which bets to accept cannot be exempted for Value Added Tax. The court decided that such companies provide purely administrative services and are not in the gambling business so must therefore account for VAT.
Supreme Court Hears Child Online Protection Act Again
In the United States the Child Online Protection Act (COPA) returned to the Supreme Court earlier this month. Passed in 1998, the law makes it illegal to commercially place online any material that is available and harmful to minors. The case was struck down first by the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals in 1999 when the American Civil Liberties Union, online publishers, and others argued that the law is unconstitutional because it limits free speech by banning material that may legally be viewed by adults. The Justice Department appealed the case to the Supreme Court in May 2002, where part of the law was upheld, though it was sent back to the lower court for reconsideration. The Court of Appeals again ruled against the act in March 2003, ruling that it is unconstitutional because it is not tailored narrowly enough to target only pornography, and legitimate web sites could be unfairly targeted. The Justice Department has again appealed to the Supreme Court, which should render a decision before July.
Ban on Video Games in Internet cafes
Two years ago Greek lawmakers were concerned about an escalating problem of gaming hall operators that would illegally turn arcade games consoles into gambling machines, so the Greek Parliament passed a law to ban all public gambling by electronic and traditional methods. The ban has resulted in very strict limitations on cyber-cafes, including a rule that forbids non-gambling video games like chess, flight simulators, and war games. Internet cafes must also be located on the ground floor of a building and must have only one entrance and no secluded areas so that police can easily monitor them. In January police twice raided a café owned by Aris Asimakopoulos, throwing out all customers, seizing 50 computers, and arresting one employee. The police deposition says " Posing as clients, we ascertained that in 49 out of the 70 PCs installed, prohibited video games were being played such as Œrally, football, and war games." One Athens gaming official said, "The law is the law and we have to enforce it, even if it prevents us from pursuing our real aim, which is the fight against illegal gambling." Dozens of café owners have been taken to court, and Sotiris Kalaitzidis, president of the Internet Cafe Owners Association, says more than 50 have been acquitted. But even acquittals are costly since they result in the cafés being shut down and the computers being confiscated for several weeks, which means they are often left in humid rooms for so long that they become unusable.
Trail-blazing Problem Gambling Approach
New Zealand's Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor says the country's proposed problem gambling strategy, which is explained in a document called Preventing and Minimising Gambling Harm, would make New Zealand a world leader in addressing problem gambling. O'Connor says, "We are the first country to develop such a comprehensive approach to gambling-related health issues." New Zealand's Gambling Act of 2003 requires the Health Ministry to assume responsibility for funding and coordinating problem gambling services on July 1st, 2004. The Ministry's proposed plan contains a strategic plan, a needs assessment, a three-year funding plan, and levy rates.
Illegal I-gaming and Assassination Attempts
In Taiwan, where gambling is illegal, police made impressive efforts to halt wagering on the March 20th presidential election. At the beginning of the month they launched a sting operation called Leiting (translatable to Thunderbolt) 29, which apprehended 242 suspects that were allegedly involved in underground betting rings. The following week a follow-up operation, Leiting 30 arrested 149 individuals. Just last week authorities apprehended 20 people for questioning. The 20 had apparently been betting on the election online with offshore site Easybets. Police are now seeking three bookmakers who they believe introduced online gambling to Taiwan. They have asked Interpol for help in catching their suspects, but they are not sure if Interpol will help. In the days leading up to the election, most books slightly favored the opposition candidate Lien Chan. The day before the election was to take place, both President Chen Shui-bian and his vice president were shot while campaigning. Chen sustained a shot to the stomach but was apparently not badly injured. The next day he overcame the odds and won the election. Police investigators are still looking for the assassin, but don't believe the person was acting on behalf of bookmakers or bettors.