A prominent YouTube user who was known for his videos on EA’s FIFA series has been fined after he pleaded guilty to gambling offences. In a first of its kind, Craig Douglas, better known on YouTube as NepentheZ, has been ordered to pay $112,000 for running an illegal website that let players gamble virtual currency from FIFA Ultimate Team on real world sporting events.
Douglas admitted a charge of being an officer of a firm that provided facilities for gambling without an operating licence, and a further offence of advertising unlawful gambling. His co-defendant and business partner DylanRigby pleaded guilty to two charges connected to the provision of facilities for gambling and the same offense of advertising unlawful gambling.
“In my opinion, both of you were aware of the use of the site by children and the attractiveness of it to children,” district judge Jack McGarva said. “At the very least, you both turned a blind eye to it.”
The UK’s gambling commission also made it clear that they would be using their powers to investigate any other illegal gambling activities in video games in the future.
“This was one of the most serious cases that has been investigated and prosecuted by the Commission,” said chief executive Sarah Harrison. “Its gravity is reflected in the significant financial penalties imposed by the Judge. This case demonstrates that we will use the full range of our statutory powers to investigate and prosecute individuals and companies who try to operate illegally.”
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