Star Lawyer -- BetonSports (BoS) founder Gary Kaplan has hired New York attorney Benjamin Brafman as his lead counsel. Kaplan, wanted for eight months in connection with a federal indictment against BoS, was arrested on March 28 in the Dominican Republic and now awaits extradition to St. Louis. Brafman in 1998 defended and lost the federal case against Jay Cohen of World Sports Exchange, who was charged with violating the Wire Act as well as conspiracy. Brafman's clients outside of the gaming industry include Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, and Michael Jackson (until being replaced in 2004).
New Rules -- The Antigua Division of Gaming in the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) has begun operating under amended regulations this week, the result of an extensive review of Antigua & Barbuda's gaming regulations announced in February. With the assistance of Mark Mendel, Antigua & Barbuda's attorney in the World Trade Organization gaming dispute, and other consultants, the Directorate of Gaming performed a complete overhaul of the gaming regulations for the region. Director of Gaming Kaye McDonald said the revised regulations were approved and signed on March 30 by Minister of Finance and the Economy Dr. Errol Cort.
Ukash Expanded -- Online cash payment provider Ukash, already available in England, Ireland, Spain and Germany, is now available in 16 additional countries across Europe, reaching an estimated 226 million extra Internet users. The new countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden. Ukash is accepted at hundreds of international Web sites, including the sites of Ladbrokes, 888.com, PartyGaming and bwin.