Peter Dicks, the Chief Executive Officer of online sports betting site, Sportingbet, who was recently arrested at JFK Airport in New York, was released on a $50,000 bail and granted a habeas corpus on the grounds that Dicks was not physically present during the alleged incidents that have led to his arrest. Dicks was arrested on September 5, immediately after flying into the U.S. on a warrant issued from the State of Louisiana for alleged illegal online gambling activities that Louisiana officials have been investigating since January, 2006.

Whether these charges stem from services offered through Sportingbet's online casino games or through sports betting has not been shared, although it seems likely the case does revolve around sports bets considering the recent case against BetOnSports. Both websites offer online casino gambling, but wrought the majority of their business through sports bets.

Dicks has been waiting in a Queens jail cell ever since, having refused his right to waive extradition to Louisiana. Dicks' attorney, Peter Neiman, has been fighting jurisdiction since his arrest, at which time the habeas corpus was filed. Judge Robert Raciti has scheduled an extradition hearing on Thursday, September 14, at which time the fate of Dicks' extradition will be made known. Judge Raciti would not grant a requested bail to Dicks on the grounds that he was considered a fugitive. However, Dicks appeared before another Judge, John Latella, on Friday, and was granted the requested bail until the extradition hearing. Dicks' passport was revoked, and he was ordered to stay within the five boroughs of New York City.

The news of Dick's arrest came shortly after the arrest of another online gambling website CEO, David Caruthers of BetOnSports. Making headlines around the world, the global online casino gambling industry is still baffled by the latest actions of the U.S. Department of Justice. Showing bullying tactics with the World Trade Organization, and enforcing laws that could be considered out of touch, the U.S. is now being avoided by most of the international betting community. The apparent crackdown could be in preparation for the anti-online gambling bill awaiting a vote by the U.S. Senate, although these two particular arrests could also simply be an enforcement of current U.S. legislation which does make it clear that placing sports bets through communication devices such as the internet is illegal. However, current law makes no mention of online casino gambling, which Sportingbet also offers on their site.

A spokesperson for the British Embassy released a statement that the Embassy is aware of Dick's arrest, and that consular assistance was being given.  Nothing else was said regarding the matter. In the meantime (unlike BetOnSports), SportingBet continues business as usual - posting odds, taking sports bets and hosting online casino and poker gambling activities. Although there is no direct mention of targeting their business to U.S. players, it is probably very likely that Sportingbet is keeping a close tab on U.S. players trying to open real money betting accounts.