Crime
Bitcoin No Liberty Reserve: Shutdown to Affect Only One Online Casino
Anonymous payment solutions company, Liberty Reserve, has been shut down by federal authorities out of the Southern District of New York on Tuesday.
The indictment alleges Liberty Reserve, a company incorporated in Costa Rica, has for years operated as one of the world’s largest digital currencies. Law enforcement refers to the company as a “PayPal for criminals” that allegedly laundered money to the tune of $6 billion over the past 7 years.
More Arrests in IPL Spot Fixing Scandal
New Delhi/Panaji (IANS) Six bookies allegedly involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot fixing scandal were arrested by Goa Police Monday.
"Ketan Chavera, Amit Papat, Ritesh Patel, Paresh Asad Kota, Sandeep Asad Kota and Nikunj Lalan were arrested from a beach resort in Candolim after the Delhi Police intimated the Goa Police about them hiding there," said a Delhi Police officer.
Bookie Testifies: ‘Ridiculous’ When Asked If He Killed His Wife
South Carolina bookie Brett Parker, on trial for allegedly killing his wife, testified for nearly three hours Friday.
“No,” Brett Parker when grilled about killing his wife, Tammy Jo Parker. “That’s crazy.”
“That’s ridiculous,” he would respond when asked again.
95-Year Old Vegas Icon Missing, Reportedly Held Captive
The wife of 95-year-old Las Vegas casino developer Kirk Kerkorian claims her husband is being held captive by his attorneys.
Kerkorian, who made $2.9 billion through the development of such Vegas landmarks as Caesar's Palace and the MGM Grand, has not been seen for nearly a year.
SC Prosecutors Rest Their Case Against Sports Bettor Charged in Wife’s Murder
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Prosecutors have rested their case after 10 days of testimony against a man accused of killing his wife and colleague in a sports gambling ring at his Columbia home.
Nevada Gaming Control Board Continues to Probe Colbert, Cantor Gaming
Following last October’s indictment of former Cantor Gaming Sportsbook head Mike Colbert and 24 others, the Nevada gaming Control Board continues to conduct an investigation of its own.
Skrill Unauthorized Logins Have Online Gamblers Worried
A spate of reported unauthorized Skrill logins have the online gambling community on edge.
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Skrill, formerly known as Moneybookers, is a popular money transfer platform for those gamblers living outside the United States. It is similar to PayPal.
Assailants Used Bricks to Bash Lawyer in Gambling Mecca of Macau
HONG KONG – (Associated Press) - A Macau lawyer assaulted in broad daylight in the Chinese gambling haven says the attack was an attempt to intimidate him.
The two assailants used bricks to bash the lawyer, Jorge Menezes, on the head before fleeing in last week's attack.
The former Portuguese colony has largely shed its reputation for triad violence.
Menezes said Monday he believed the attack was intended to intimidate him over his work but he wouldn't say who he thought was behind it.
Legends Sports Head Man Remains Behind Bars: Denied $2.5 Mil Bond
Bartice King, aka Luke King, will remain behind bars after Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Dickerson Cox filed a motion for revocation of the order of release entered by Western District of Oklahoma Magistrate Judge Shon T. Erwin.
Affidavits Provide Window Into Russian Mob Tied Gambling Operation
A major gambling ring bust last month netted the head of a prominent art gallery, a so-called “Poker Princess” and associates of an alleged Russian-tied crime organization.
Gambling911 World Exclusive: The Russ Hamilton Recordings, Who Knew What
The poker community listened with fascination and disgust this week, after Russ Hamilton's personal assistant, Travis Makar, released audio of secretly recorded meetings between Ultimate Bet founders and lawyers.
Blue Monday’ Online Gambling Beneficiaries Jailed, Forced to Resign
It’s been nearly two years since close to a dozen online gambling domain names were seized as part of a payment processing sting operation.
Spate of Casino Kidnappings has Officials, Gamblers Worried
The number of casino crimes in Macau jumped during the first quarter of 2013. These include a rise in kidnapping reports.
From Macau Business Daily:
Top Florida Officials Named Witnesses in Internet Café Gambling Case
SANFORD, Fla. – (Associated Press) - Some of Florida's top politicians and law enforcement officials were named as defense witnesses Tuesday for a Jacksonville lawyer charged with being the mastermind behind a veterans' charity that prosecutors say was actually a gambling operation at strip malls that offered sweepstakes games across the state.
Undercover FBI Agents Placed Bets on Legends.com, Won and Lost Thousands
FBI agents from the Oklahoma City office placed bets with Panama City-based Legends.com (known also as Legends.com and Legendz.com) as part of a nearly 10-year investigation leading to the indictment of nearly three dozen individuals.
Three Men Sentenced for Role in Running Online Gambling Site
The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut on Friday announced the sentencing of three Hartford men for their role in running an online sports betting site out of Costa Rica.
San Francisco Examiner: WSEX Founder Killed Himself With Illegal Gun
Tom Somach reports in the San Francisco Examiner Sunday that Steve Schillinger of Word Sports Exchange, who killed himself last month, had an illegal gun and Antigua police are investigating how he got it, where and from whom he got it.....Read the Sunday edition story on Schillinger by clicking here.
San Francisco Examiner to Cover Steve Schillinger Suicide
Gambling911.com can confirm that the San Francisco Examiner,, one of America’s most prominent newspapers, will be running a feature story on the death of World Sports Exchange founder Steve Schillinger. That story was expected to be published on Sunday (May 5, 2013).
Bill to Stop Expansion of Internet Cafes in Ohio Heading to State Senate
COLUMBUS — (Associated Press) - A bill that would immediately halt the expansion of Internet cafes in Ohio cleared a legislative panel Tuesday evening and was headed for a vote by the full state Senate.
The measure would extend a current moratorium on the opening of new sweepstakes gambling operations until June 2014, as lawmakers consider a ban on the facilities. The legislation also would require operators of current facilities to file more thorough affidavits of existence with the state. And those who don’t submit a new affidavit could face a fine of up to $1,000 a day.
85-Year-Old Avoids Prison Sentence for Running Illegal Gambling Business
BOSTON (Associated Press) - Three Cape Cod men who pleaded guilty in 2011 to running an illegal gambling ring have avoided prison time.
Federal prosecutors say 86-year-old Adam Hart and 62-year-old William Neofotistos were sentenced to two years of probation, including six months of house arrest.
They were also fined $40,000 and $10,000, respectively.
Also, 34-year-old Timothy Reardon was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $3,000.
Busted High Stakes Poker Ring had Ties to NYC Murder Suicide
A busted Russian mob linked high stakes poker and sports betting ring had ties to a murder suicide, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.
From the Daily News:
WSEX Founder Left Suicide Note: Hated Having to Stiff Customers
World Sports Exchange founder Steve Shillinger reportedly left a suicide note behind prior to taking a gun to his head last week.
Obama’s Choice of Ambassador to France has Ties to High Stakes Poker Bust, Mob
A recent New York City bust tied to illegal sports betting and high stakes poker games led to the indictment of a prominent art dealer, a so-called “Princess of Poker” and an individual said to be a major figure in Russian organized crime.
Hong Kong Police Arrest 4 in Hacking Death of Triad Boss: Disemboweled in Front of Many
Hong Kong police announced Monday the arrests of 4 individuals ages 18 through 30 for the brutal hacking death of alleged triad boss. Only the age (30) and surname (Tse) of the victime were disclosed.
The attack occurred outside a hospital in front of many onlookers. One of the strikes nearly disemboweled the victim.
Witnesses Testify in High Stakes Poker Game Killing
Eight men involved in a Saginaw Township, Michigan high stakes poker game testified against Quintel A. West this week.
West is accused of fatally shooting Michael Kuhlman, who was hosting the poker game at his home. West and an accomplice were attempting to enter the home, according to the witnesses. When Kuhlman placed his weight against the door to try and prevent the two men from entering, he was shot through the door. The bullet entered his lung.
More Internet Cafe Raids Reveal Gambling, Drugs, Booze
CBS13 in Sacramento has uncovered what appears to be an illegal gambling business at a local Internet café.
From CBS13:
Ray Bitar Must Give Up $3m Mansion, Surrender 18 Bank Accounts
Former Full Tilt Poker CEO Ray Bitar may not be serving any jail time but he will have to surrender several coveted assets including a $3 million mansion in Glendora, California.
Bitar was among those indicted for his role in running an illegal online poker room, Full Tilt Poker. He recently plead guilty to charges of fraud and violating a 2006 gambling prohibition act.
Art Gallery With Alleged Ties to High Stakes Poker Probe, Russian Mob Reopens
The Helly Nahmad Gallery, located within the confines of the ritzy Midtown Manhattan Carlyle Hotel, has reopened.
Schillinger had Questionable Past: Was Fugitive Right Up to ‘Suicide’
World Sports Exchange founder Steve Schillinger came under fire early on in his offshore gambling days. This past weekend, one of online gambling’s pioneers was found dead in his Antigua condo, shot in the head, in a story first broken by Gambling911.com on Monday morning.
Two Men Sentenced in Poker Player Extortion Plot: Hacked and Stole Naked Pics
Keith James Hudson, 39, has plead guilty to hacking into professional poker players accounts and stealing naked pictures then attempting to extort money. Hudson will serve two years prison time.
Also pleading guilty, Tyler Schrier, 23, who was sentenced to 3 1/2 years behind bars. He was sentenced for conspiracy, extortion and unauthorized access to another personal's computer information without permission.
