Department of Justice seizes a further six accounts

US gaming enthusiasts faced a setback this week after the US Department of Justice imposed the forfeiture of six further bank accounts holding money won by players at online casinos. A total of six Wachovia accounts were seized by the Department of Justice in a move which follows nine previous forfeitures for the same offence.

The decision was imposed by the US Attorney's office located in Maryland and involves accounts operated by the payment processor, Forshay Enterprises. Authorities are maintaining that the accounts were involved in money laundering activity and have been seized accordingly. gambling911 has now revealed that the Maryland office will now be working in collaboration with the Southern District of New York US Attorney's Office, the Us Customs Office and the Louisiana State Police in an effort to combat further gambling offences throughout the country. A thorough investigation into a number of illegal online gaming activities is expected to go ahead later this year.

Many have responded with some anger towards the controversial move in the wake of ongoing debates regarding looser US gambling legislation. US polls show a majority of citizens in support of regulated online casinos and the latest incident further compounds the confusion regarding the status of online gaming activity. Whilst no federal law currently prohibits online gaming outright, discussion concerning online casinos is fraught with conflict. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice shows no sign of slowing down its campaign to target illegal operations. Foreign Internet gaming operations can certainly expect to be under the watchful eye of the law as the debate continues to rage throughout the country at large.