In the first case of its kind in the regulated online poker market, Bryan Micon was sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to operating an unlicensed interactive gambling system in Nevada.
Micon was indicted earlier this year by Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt for operating the bitcoin poker site Seals with Clubs.
Micon Given Two Years Probation and Fined $25,000
Back in April Seals With Clubs became the first unregulated site prosecuted by Nevada regulators after it operated unlicensed for nearly a year.
Micon's house was raided in February and several computers were confiscated in connection with an investigation by state regulators.
Following the raid Micon moved his family to Antigua and launched SWCPoker. He returned to Nevada during the summer to answer charges and was released on bail.
Micon was facing a maximum 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine but was given probation and a fine of $25,000.
Micon cut a plea agreement back in July and in addition to the fine and probation, he also surrendered 3.0996 in bitcoin, $900 in cash and the computers confiscated in the raid.
Clark County District Court Judge Kerry Earley informed Micon that he faces 2 1/2 years in state prison if he violates his probation.
During his sentencing hearing, Micon's attorney told Judge Earley that his client will complete his probation in Las Vegas and then return to Antigua to take an IT job with a newspaper.
Micon Serves as an Example to Other Unregulated Operators
Micon's sentence is admittedly light in comparison with the crime he was accused of, but the point of his prosecution was to make him an example to other potential unregulated operators.
The message has been sent to operators around the world that if you operate poker sites illegally in Nevada, they will come after you. Micon made things easy for Nevada as he chose to operate in state but overseas operators will not be as easy to prosecute.
However, Micon's prosecution sends the right message to citizens that the state is serious in protecting the integrity of the network.