Online Fantasy Sports Gambling Site Owner Arrested In Washington

Fantasy sports gambling has become one of the top entertainment options in the US over the past decade. One site, however, has been operating illegally according to authorities in Washington.

Police arrested David B. Watkins on Thursday after raiding his home in Spokane, Washington. He is accused of running FantasyThunder.com, and keeping half of the money that was made from gamblers.

Watkins, according to authorities, allowed gamblers to pick a team of NASCAR drivers. He then took half of the money generated, while the other half went to paying out winners. He may not have been caught if it was not for gamblers who complained they were not getting paid when they won.

"In most fantasy sports leagues, all of the money that is collected goes into the prize pool, therefore keeping the operation legal," said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz. "In this situation, the house (Watkins, "was keeping half of the money for his own profit."

The investigation has been ongoing and police believe that the site may have been running for at least a decade. It is one of the rare cases where law enforcement targets fantasy sports leagues in their investigations.

Watkins now faces the possibility of up to five years in prison if convicted. A professional gambling charge has been brought against him by Washington police. Gamblers were told that the site had run out of money and that was the reason they had not been paid.

March 26, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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