A YouTube gamer known by his web handle NepentheZ pleaded guilty to charges related to a running an online gambling operation involving the popular sports video game “FIFA 17” in a U.K. court Monday.
Craig Douglas and his business partner Dylan Rigby ran a website called FUT Galaxy which was found to have violated the U.K. Gambling Act. The site was frequently featured on Douglas’ YouTube channel, which he mostly used to share videos of him organizing teams and playing matches on “FIFA 17” to more than 1.4 million of his subscribers. FUT Galaxy allowed users to bet on actual soccer games and transfer funds through the game’s virtual currency, which could then be exchanged for legitimate currency on the black market.
Douglas released a series of tweets apologizing to his family and fans Monday, explaining that he “pleaded “guilty to charges and a substantial fine.” Douglas admitted to running an unlicensed gambling operation and to the unauthorized advertisement of gambling. Rigby confessed to two charges related to the provision of services for gambling and one charge connected to advertising gambling without authorization, according to BBC News.
Sentencing was reportedly scheduled for Tuesday, when the pair was expected to be sentenced up to 51 weeks in prison and possibly fined up to about $6,200 per charge.
“I want to thank all of those that have supported me through my journey. I would understand any viewers choice to no longer watch my content,” Douglas wrote. “I owe a huge apology to my family and close friends for putting them through this process, and appreciate all those that stood by me. I also owe a huge apology and debt of gratitude to my loyal supporters. Even if this is the end of our journey together, I’m grateful.”
The U.K. Gambling Commission first brought its case against Douglas and Rigby in September and accused the pair of participating in illegal online gambling, a market estimated to be worth nearly $5 billion, according to Wired UK. Douglas would soon upload a video to YouTube explaining his side of the story, he said Monday.
“FIFA 17” is based on the international soccer organization, FIFA, which is comprised of 211 national teams and hosts the World Cup, the tournament for the sport’s most sought-after prize that is held every four years. Germany won the last title with a score of 7-1 in the 2014 competition held in their opponent’s native country of Brazil. World Cup 2018 was set to be hosted by Russia.
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