|
Promoters in Snoop Dogg Poker tournament indicted as
part of probe
 The
promoters of a "cruise ship" poker tournament that
never quite made sail have been named in an
indictment that threatens to put behemoth online
gambling enterprise, BetonSports.com, out of
commission.
Hold
'Em Productions had been slated to hold a poker
tournament featuring the likes of Snoop Dogg and his
Uncle Reno this coming November after two previous
dates were cancelled.
The "Rapper's
Challenge Texas Hold 'Em Tournament" was originally
to take place the day Hurricane Wilma hit South
Florida. It was once again postponed after
organizers announced the casino ship commissioned
for the evening had lost its certification.
A federal grand jury in the
Eastern District of Missouri returned a 22-count
indictment charging 11 individuals
and four corporations on various charges of
racketeering, conspiracy and fraud, the Department
of Justice announced today. The indictment was
returned on June 1, 2006, and unsealed Monday July
17.
BetonSports PLC, a
publicly-traded holding company that owns a number
of Internet sportsbooks and casinos, was among the
companies charged in the indictment.
The four other
corporations are actually tied into one another.
These include Direct Mail Expertise, Inc., DME
Global Marketing and Fulfillment Inc. and Mobile
Promotions Inc. Also charged from these entities
were William Hernan Lenis; Monica Lenis and Manny
Gustavo Lenis, owners and operators of the Florida
companies; and William Hernan Lenis' son, William
Luis Lenis.
While Hold "Em
Productions is not named in Monday's indictment,
Gambling911.com has confirmed that the promotion
company is tied in with those individuals named in
the indictment.
The indictment alleges
among other things that BetonSports founder, Gary
Kaplan and Mobile Promotions illegally transported
equipment used to place bets and transmit wagering
information across state lines and that DME Global
Marketing and Fulfillment shipped equipment to Costa
Rica from Florida for BetonSports.com.
Further information
regarding the original "Rapper's Challenge Texas
Hold 'Em Tournament" slated for this coming November
has not been made available. None of those
named to participate in the ill-fated event are
named in any indictments related to the
BetonSports.com/DME Mobile "shakedown".
------
Christopher Costigan,
www.gambling911.com
Originally
published July 17, 2006 8:36 pm EDT |
