The US government has a tendency to assume much about gaming, - unlike any other nation. Also unlike any other nation, there is a difference in US domestic gaming laws which are not unlike prohibition day attempts to control and are a feeble attempt to protect the US gaming industry.
Any individual or corp entity has one set of laws to abide and these are the laws of the country in which they operate or reside. No other laws apply - that was never a deal.
The US has elected to arrest citizens of other nations for gaming offenses if these citizens visit/pass thru or fly on-route over US jurisdiction. No court in another nation would agree to the extradition of their citizens to any other country for "gaming offences". "Gaming" is not an "extraditable offense".
Only my
, but smell the US is totally entitled to arrest people on their soil - BUT... there is sure a tinge of arrogance in doing so, and what is good for one, is good for the other, and there is no reason why any other country should not do the same.
Transacting remote business with other nations is not the basis of being subject to the laws of these nations. The legal jurisdiction of transactions is the place stated on any TOS or where any business is actually based - and that is not in 150 countries over the globe - it is one country and normally the legal juridiction of a corporation/company.
On the gaming issue, (this takes too long to say, but simplified...) the US is currently in violation of WTO treaties regarding the movement of gaming funds. The Wire Act, Travel Act and the recently passed gaming act are all in conflict with treaties ratified by the US. The recent arrests of individuals is the exact reason which violates WTO rulings - kinda ironic ;-) The WTO is due to issue final penalty/sanction/whatever rules against the US for violating WTO global trading treaties.
Meantime, the largest gaming market the US has for Vegas is based on Asian visitors who fly there to dump their money. Instead of flying around 15 hours to Vegas, Asian gamblers will shortly have gaming facilities in Macao and other regions.
Bottom line? All bullshit. The US attempted to protect it's domestic market, meanwhile other nations welcome gaming business, both online and bricks and mortar - and the US will lose out of the global gaming biz. Insane? Sure, but some never learn.