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Internet Gambling: Flawed policy of Jon Kyl lets down Arizona residents |
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Written by Thomas Jensen
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Thursday, 17 May 2007
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 The United States government’s current “War on Internet Gambling” hurts more than just online payment processors and the internet gambling operators, it also hurts local businesses now too. Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio recently arrested a group of four loosely connected credit betting agents which were having Arizona residents set up internet gambling accounts, place bets online with payout and collections made in local Arizona businesses.
One of those businesses named Teakwoods Tavern & Grill is owned by Dale Malee. Sheriff deputies have not interviewed him or any of his staff and he has no idea why his business would be mentioned but the hint that some of the patrons of his Chandler business may have been placing bets has put a cloud over his new restaurant.
When asked about his family restaurant being mentioned in the arrests Malee commented to Ahwatukee Foothills News reporter Doug Murphy, “If someone was operating as a bookie, we would know about that. None of the staff had any knowledge of anything going on.”
The sheriff’s department and the Arizona Attorney General’s office would not comment on what they call an ongoing investigation, but no charges have been brought against any Teakwoods employee.
“People are calling me, asking if I’m going to be arrested,” he said. “It’s put a horrible strain on my family.”
The bust comes just days before Malee is planning to open a second Teakwoods. He’s waiting on a few final kitchen improvements before he receives his certificate of occupancy from the city, which will then recommend approval of his liquor license application with the state.
“We’re a family restaurant and in 10 years have never had a problem with the liquor board,” Malee said.
If the internet gambling industry was taxed and regulated, hard working Arizona residents like Dale Malee would not be in the line of fire because the payout and collection of gambling profits would take place at banks not sports bars. Perhaps Senator Jon Kyl should look at what his efforts to ban internet gambling is doing to the residents and voters of Arizona before trying to police the entire internet. Point-Spreads.com will continue to monitor whether Malee is granted his liquor license. If anyone knows who Senator John McCain bet when he attended the Oscar de la Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight let us know.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 May 2007 )
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