My opinion, and others', on the Black Friday charges

Online poker: the charges and argumentsLet's say that you and I decide to flip coins. Every time it lands on heads, you pay me $1. Every time it lands on tails, I pay you $1.25. While we are both gambling, you should expect to make a profit in the long run. Now let's say for integrity's sake, we hire a third person to do the flipping, at 5 cents a throw. This third person has no interest in the outcome. He's just there to make sure nobody cheats, that the game is played by the rules, the results are judged accurately, and that the victor is paid his winnings. Is this third person gambling? Is this third person operating an illegal gambling business? Well, that's the question the courts will ultimately have to answer...