Attorney General's News Release

Sept. 22, 1998

Nixon obtains first criminal convictions in country for Internet gambling with guilty pleas today in Springfield

Springfield, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon today obtained what are believed to be the first criminal convictions of their kind in the United States in the prosecution of an Internet gambling site.

Michael F. Simone of Doylestown, Pa., and his business, Interactive Gaming & Communications, pleaded guilty this morning in Greene County Circuit Court to misdemeanor charges of promoting gambling in the second degree.

"These criminal convictions should serve as a clear notice to Internet operators that we will aggressively pursue violations of Missouri law," Nixon said. "Cyberspace is no safe haven for lawbreakers."

A Greene County grand jury in June 1997 indicted Simone and IGC on charges of promoting gambling in the first degree at the request of Nixon, alleging that the defendants committed a criminal violation of Missouri law by accepting gambling wagers through the Internet from a Missouri resident.

Nixon said today's guilty pleas meant that Simone acknowledged he and his business knowingly advanced illegal gambling activity in Missouri.

"Internet gambling presents a situation where any 15-year-old who gets hold of a credit card can turn the family den into a casino," Nixon said. "This is an activity that clearly is illegal in the state of Missouri, and I am proud that we have obtained these convictions."

As part of the guilty plea, Simone will pay a $2,500 fine to the state of Missouri and IGC will pay a $5,000 fine. IGC also has agreed to pay $20,000 to the state for the cost of the prosecution.

Simone fought extradition to Missouri since being indicted by the grand jury but lost his arguments last October at the lower court level in Pennsylvania. On Sept. 15, an appeals court in that state ordered him to face the judicial process in Missouri.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818