November 2018

Benedict’s hand hovered over the large button that would open his online casino for business. Behind him, a projector beamed images of dancing bitcoins and virtual slot machines onto a screen. In front, an emcee evangelized in Mandarin to the fifty or so people in attendance.

Cicero stood off to the right, flanked on both sides by a bevy of young Shan women brought in to bolster the event...