for 20 years in prison as his punishment for making a hoax call that led police to fatally shoot a Kansas man following a dispute between two online gamers over $1.50 bet in a Call of Duty WWII video game. Tyler R. Barriss, 26, faces sentencing Friday in federal court in Wichita for making the false report resulting in a death. His attorney argued in a sentencing memorandum that Barriss never intended for anyone to get hurt and his conduct was an outgrowth of the culture within the gaming community.
Lawmakers in at least 22 states are considering legislation to legalize sports gambling this year. Seven states joined Nevada and legalized it last year after the Supreme Court's decision. An Associated Press review of all sports gambling bills introduced this year — more than 100 so far — found high interest among lawmakers, primarily as a source of revenue, but also many questions about how legalized sports betting would be handled. Casino companies, sports leagues, fantasy sports companies and others are lobbying lawmakers in the hopes of getting the legislation tailored to their liking.
