[1] Born in Edinburgh in Scotland, he attended art college before joining Ladbrokes Plc, the UK's largest retail bookmaker in 1976,[2] where he became the youngest betting shop manager at the age of 19.

He has frequently engaged in public debate with opponents of online gaming (particularly in the United States), and has argued vociferously for government oversight and taxation of the industry.

In response to Rep. Leach's rhetoric, Carruthers presented the case for the regulation of the online gambling industry in the United States.

He was travelling with his wife, Carol, from the BETonSPORTS Annual General Meeting in the United Kingdom to his home in Costa Rica where the two lived since 2000.

(At that meeting held on Friday, 14 July, he had publicly announced that the chances of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (H.R.

)[10] On 21 July Carruthers was still jailed in Fort Worth, Texas awaiting a bail hearing[11] concerning federal charges filed in Missouri related to his company taking wagers over the telephone and Internet from US citizens.

Other charges include 'Mail Fraud', 'Transmission of Wagers/Wagering Information', 'Interstate Transportation of Gambling Paraphernalia', and 'Interference with Administration of Internal Revenue Laws', specifically the evasion of Federal wagering excise taxes.

The company cited Carruthers' inability to perform his daily business duties while jailed as the primary reason for the termination of his contract.

[15] It is widely speculated that BETonSPORTS' board made this move to distance itself from the scandal and from questions regarding the criminal background of company founder Gary Kaplan.

[17] On Monday 31 July 2006 the defendants in the criminal case were arraigned before US Magistrate Judge for the First Eastern District of Missouri, Mary Ann L. Medler.

[18] Later that day he appeared in front of the court, wearing leg irons, a white T-shirt and loose beige slacks, Carruthers only spoke to confirm his name, age and plea.

He also had to wear an electronic tagging device so that his movements may be constantly monitored, and it was required he get a dedicated phone line installed at the hotel.

Federal officials overseeing Carruthers' bond wouldn't confirm whether he will be forced to stay in his room, or have access to the entire hotel.

On 2 April 2009, he pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, and agreed to co-operate in the federal investigation and prosecution of BetOnSports founder Gary Kaplan.