Crime

Bookmaker Ordered to Serve an Additional Four Month Sentence

FARGO, N.D. – (Associated Press) - A judge says a 69-year-old man convicted of running an illegal bookmaking operation in North Dakota must serve an additional four months in prison on top of a current sentence he is serving in Minnesota.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mon, 04/13/2015 - 11:54

FBI Probe San Francisco Sheriff’s Deputies for Gambling on Fights Between Inmates

SAN FRANCISCO — (Associated Press) - The FBI is investigating allegations that San Francisco sheriff’s deputies arranged and gambled on fights between jail inmates and told the inmates to lie if they needed medical attention.

Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi announced the independent probe Friday, and a representative from the FBI confirmed the investigation in an email to The Associated Press. The department’s internal affairs unit and the U.S. Department of Justice are investigating as well.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Sun, 04/12/2015 - 00:09

Retired NYPD Sergeant Convicted of Running Illegal Poker Games

A retired NYPD sergeant, Ralph Mastrantonio, 55, has been convicted of running illegal poker games in Staten Island, New York and faces up to five years behind bars.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Sat, 04/11/2015 - 12:11

Sports Tout Adam Meyer Sees Bail Revoked: Accused of Multi-Million Dollar Fraud

A Fort Lauderdale, Florida man charged with running an elaborate sports handicapping fraud scheme has had his bail revoked by a judge.

Adam Meyer, 43, was arrested last October for trying to extort $25 million from a Wisconsin businessman.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Thu, 04/09/2015 - 14:54

Shooting at Las Vegas M Resort Casino Leaves One Man Dead

A self-inflicted gun wound has left one man dead at the Las Vegas M Resort Casino.

The incident occurred at 4:50 pm Sunday near the casino’s buffet.

Police said one adult who fell while escaping the scene was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Another person was checked out on scene. A car fire in the casino garage at the exact time of the shooting was also being investigated.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Mon, 04/06/2015 - 11:16

Aaron Hernandez Defense Seems To Be: Nothing….

Ask anyone outside of New England, and they’re pretty sure Aaron Hernandez “did it.” Convicted in the media long before he ever had his day in court, the former NFL star’s legal team seems to have just shifted to an interesting tactic in trying to get their client off. Nothing.

Submitted by Ronn Torossian on, Sun, 04/05/2015 - 21:07

Chairs Go Flying as Dozens Brawl at Resorts World Casino in Queens (Shock Video)

A melee involving dozens of casino patrons turned into an epic brawl at the Resorts World Casino at the Aqueduct Race Track in Queens, New York, all of which was caught on cell phone videos.

The incident occurred at the opening of a Fat Tuesday daiquiri bar within the establishment and quickly escalated into the neighboring food court.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Sat, 04/04/2015 - 10:41

Did Mobsters Really Beat Down Harry Reid

An accident using an exercise machine, such was the explanation provided to the public for Senator Harry Reid’s (D-Nevada) injured eye.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Wed, 04/01/2015 - 19:39

666Bet.com Director Arrested as Part of Fraud Probe: Site Goes Offline

Paul Bell, a director of 666Bet, has been arrested as part of a joint money-laundering investigation by HM Revenue & Customs and the National Crime Agency.

The initial arrest occurred last week at London’s Heathrow Airport. Bell was re-arrested on the Isle of Man upon landing in his private jet.

While the firm’s license has now been suspended and the site remains offline, a spokesperson insists the probe had nothing to do with 666Bet.com.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Mon, 03/30/2015 - 10:29

Another Suspect Pleads Guilty in 44Wager.com Bookmaking Case

Salvatore Ferraioli, 33, of Staten Island, NY, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Hartford federal court to a federal tax charge stemming from his involvement in a sports betting ring with ties to Costa Rica.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Thu, 03/26/2015 - 22:17

University of Toledo Athletes Get Probation in Point Shaving Scheme

DETROIT (Associated Press) - Two former University of Toledo basketball players have been placed on probation for their role in shaving points for gamblers who bet on games a decade ago.

Sammy Villegas and Anton Currie were sentenced Tuesday in Detroit federal court. They're the first of seven former Rockets who will be sentenced this spring, including three ex-football players.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 03/25/2015 - 11:21

Bookie Tied to Hockey Player Thomas Vanek Lawyer: ‘NHL Should Investigate Itself’

The lawyer for a long time Rochester, New York area bookie, Paul Borrelli, tells local media the National Hockey League (NHL) may want to investigate itself in light of one player’s ties to his client.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Tue, 03/24/2015 - 21:12

Professional Poker Player, Former Broker Charged With Embezzlement

A professional poker player has been charged with embezzling client funds for the sole purpose of playing online poker, casino gambling and buying football game tickets.

Submitted by Ace King on, Tue, 03/24/2015 - 20:14

Federal Judge to Decide Fate of Poker Pro Paul Phua in FBI Ruse Case

LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) -- A federal judge in Las Vegas could decide the fate of an illegal gambling case against a wealthy Malaysian businessman who says the FBI violated his rights by posing as Internet repairmen to get into his hotel room during the FIFA World Cup last summer.

Defense attorneys for Wei Seng "Paul" Phua want U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon on Monday to accept a magistrate judge's recommendation to throw out evidence obtained by deceiving a judge who issued a search warrant.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mon, 03/23/2015 - 12:06

Easy Bet Owner Will Likely Pull Through Following Brazen Assassination Attempt

The California-born owner of a Pay Per Head business in Costa Rica identified only as Jason F. is expected to pull through according to sources close to Gambling911.com.

The individual was shot four times as he left an Escazu bakery near the La Paco shopping center Wednesday morning and attempted to get into his red Range Rover (pictured). Two men pulled up on motorcycles and fired the shots. Authorities are still investigating.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Fri, 03/20/2015 - 11:40

Japan’s Tax Agency, Hong Kong Join FBI in Scrutinizing Universal Casino Payments

(Reuters) - Japan’s tax authorities have begun a review of how slot machine maker and casino developer Universal Entertainment accounted for $40 million in payments made in 2010 to an associate of the Philippines’ top gambling regulator at that time, sources told Reuters.

Separately, the payments are also a focus of a previously undisclosed criminal investigation by Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption, sources said. The ICAC has become involved because the transfers under review passed through bank accounts based in Hong Kong, those people said.

Submitted by Reuters on, Thu, 03/19/2015 - 22:25

Pay Per Head Owner Identified as Man Shot by Motorcycle Gunmen in Costa Rica

An individual identified only as “Noah” has been shot and is in critical condition. Gambling911.com can report “Noah” operated a Pay Per Head business out of San Jose, Costa Rica. The individual’s real name is believed to be "Jason" based on sources close to G911 and he also had some involvement in real estate. His real last name is being withheld for security reasons.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Thu, 03/19/2015 - 17:41

Lawyers for Sports Betting Consultant to the Stars Put Together Insanity Defense

A Florida sports tout charged with trying to extort $25 million from a Wisconsin businessman is claiming he was only trying to help law enforcement.

Lawyers for Adam Meyer, 43 from Fort Lauderdale, are also said to be putting together an insanity defense according to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The victim, initially identified only as “Victim A” in court documents, has since been revealed as liquor store owner Gary Sadoff.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Tue, 03/17/2015 - 22:16

Roundup of 65 in Atlanta-Area NCAA Basketball Tournament Betting Ring

WSB-TV Atlanta was reporting late Monday that Alpharetta police were booking about 65 people into jail in connection with an illegal gambling operation.

Police said they moved in on Pepperoni's Tavern on Old Milton Parkway at about 9 p.m. Monday.

Law enforcement claim the investigation is tied to a major NCAA College Basketball tournament betting ring.

Submitted by Dan Shapiro on, Mon, 03/16/2015 - 23:13

Mafia Thrives on Italy's Legalized Gambling Addiction

(Reuters) - Legalizing gambling in Italy was supposed to help curb the mafia. Unfortunately, prosecutors say, it has only created new opportunities for the mob.

Cash-strapped Italian governments desperate for revenue have relaxed the rules on betting over the past two decades, to the point that Italians now wager $80 billion euros ($86 billion) a year - nearly equal to 5 percent of gross domestic product.

Submitted by Reuters on, Thu, 03/12/2015 - 18:17

San Jose CA Largest Gambling Bust on Record: Vietnamese Cafes Caught in Crossfire

San Jose, California police confirmed raids on several Vietnamese owned cafes to root out illegal gambling machines at the establishments.

The raids were designated “Operation Omni”, coming about following a year-and-a-half investigation.

“The only thing I can confirm at this time is that we are serving multiple search warrants and arrest warrants in the area,” FBI special agent Greg Wuthrich told KPIX 5.

The following cafes were raided:

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Wed, 03/11/2015 - 17:03

42 Alleged Mobsters Brought Down in Italy

Italian military police, the Carabinieri, have arrested 42 suspected mafia members in the Southern part of the country, it was revealed on Tuesday. The individuals are accused of extorting tens of thousands of euros from businesses.

Homes in 11 provinces were raided as a result of the investigation with the syndicate based out of the village of Casal di Principe near Naples.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Tue, 03/10/2015 - 17:09

Man Involved in Fatal Car Crash After 500,000 Euros Gambling Win Goes on Trial

BERLIN (Associated Press) — A man faces a possible five-year prison sentence for allegedly causing a fatal accident driving the wrong way down a German Autobahn after winning more than 500,000 euros ($537,000) gambling and going on a 36-hour alcohol and cocaine-fueled binge.

The 51-year-old man, identified only as Marko M., went on trial in Wiesbaden state court Tuesday for negligent homicide and six counts of causing bodily harm.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Tue, 03/10/2015 - 11:45

Poker Pro Paul Phua Son Pleads Guilty in World Cup Betting Probe: Was Homesick

LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - The son of a wealthy Malaysian businessman accused of running an illegal sports betting ring together during the World Cup has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in order to return home.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Sun, 03/08/2015 - 12:38

Nevada Gaming Enforcement Division Confirms Bitcoin Poker Room Seals With Clubs Raid

While Karl Bennison, chief of the Nevada Gaming Enforcement division, confirmed that the board “took part in law enforcement action” related to Seals with Clubs on Feb. 11, it was not immediately clear as to whether that investigation directly tied to the anonymous digital currency Bitcoin or if it involved Seals With Clubs operating from within Nevada.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Fri, 03/06/2015 - 12:22

Italian Police Arrest Mobster Hiding Inside Sofa

An Italian Mafia boss on the run since April 2013 was arrested Wednesday after engaging in a chase with officers. The mobster was found hiding inside a sofa.

63-year-old Vincenzo Pariante was convicted in absentia and sentenced to life imprisonment for commissioning the 2004 murder of two other mobsters from a rival clan.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Wed, 03/04/2015 - 22:25

U.S. Government Blames Iran for Hack of Sands Casino Websites

Senior government officials have reportedly linked Iran to a hacking attack on the Sands Casino websites last year.

Hackers knocked all of the Sands websites offline and published sensitive personal information about Sands employees including their social security numbers in February of 2014. The sites remained down for over a week.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Wed, 03/04/2015 - 11:06

Three Florida Men Convicted in Connection With Legends Sports Case

Three individuals from Florida have been convicted in Oklahoma City for their role in running what federal prosecutors called a billion dollar illegal sports betting enterprise run out of Panama City, Panama.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Tue, 03/03/2015 - 18:29

Former Top Sheriff’s Deputy Charged for Selling Inside Info on Gambling Probe

GREENVILLE, South Carolina — (Associated Press) - A former top sheriff's deputy in Greenville County faces criminal charges after prosecutors say he sold inside information on investigations in return for payoffs from an illegal gambling operator.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Sat, 02/28/2015 - 17:21