Crime

Man Sentenced for Running Online Gambling Website: FBI Agent was Customer

SHREVEPORT, La. — (Associated Press) - A Bossier City man has been sentenced to three years of probation and fined $50,000 for operating an illegal internet sports gambling site.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley said Wednesday that U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. sentenced 34-year-old Terry Lee Doty Jr., who pleaded guilty in April to one count of transmission of wagering information — a federal felony offense.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Aug/01/2013

Wayne Root: ‘Every Single Exec at CNBC Should be Fired’ Over ‘Money Talks’

Responding to the controversy over CNBC’s decision to air a sports handicapping reality series “Money Talks” based on something that arguably may not be reality at all, one of the more colorful Vegas sports handicappers blasted the network’s decision.

Wayne Root, who runs the sports handicapping service Winning Edge, tells Gambling911.com, “I'd say every single executive at CNBC should be fired immediately.”

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Jul/31/2013

Hartford Pizzeria Owner Sentenced in Gambino-Tied Sports Betting Ring

A U.S. District Judge, Vanessa Bryant, has sentenced Domenico Manchisi, 65, to six months behind bars for his role in operating a Gambino-run gambling business.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jul/31/2013

CNBC Comes Under Fire for ‘Money Talks’ Reality Series: Capper Scammed Elderly

CNBC’s announcement that they will be airing a new sports handicapping reality series this fall called “Money Talks” is beginning to cause quite a backlash.

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Submitted by C Costigan on, Jul/31/2013

Gambling High Roller Ramon DeSage Accused of Tax Evasion: Defrauded Investors

Las Vegas businessman, Ramon DeSage, who was previously accused of defrauding investors out of $191 million now faces additional allegations that he failed to pay nearly $87 million in federal income taxes.

The U.S. District Court in Las Vegas handed down a four-count indictment against DeSage on Tuesday.  It illustrates casino and bank wire transfers totaling $15.1 million.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jul/31/2013

Prosecutors Claim Former FBI Agent Exaggerated Whitey Bulger Claims

BOSTON – (Associated Press) - Prosecutors on Tuesday suggested that a former FBI supervisor exaggerated his claim that he tried to end the FBI's corrupt relationship with reputed mobster James "Whitey" Bulger.

Robert Fitzpatrick, a former assistant special agent in charge of the Boston FBI office, testified that he tried to convince the FBI to terminate Bulger as an informant after Bulger was uncooperative and didn't appear to be helping the bureau's mission to gather information on the Mafia.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/30/2013

Poker Babe, Baseball Wife Anna Benson Once Charged With Satanic Murder (Video)

The ex-wife of former Major League Baseball player Kris Benson was once accused of killing a Knoxville, Tennessee man back in 1996.

Anna Benson allegedly attacked her ex during a home invasion earlier in the month.

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, Jul/30/2013

Casino Developers in Cedar Rapids Allegedly Made ‘Illegal’ Political Contributions

Two casino executives placed in charge of overseeing development of a Cedar Rapids casino allegedly made illegal political contributions in late 2009 to then-Governor Chet Culver’s unsuccessful re-election campaign.

From the Gazette:

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Jul/30/2013

Boston Mobster Whitey Bulger May Testify at His Own Trial

BOSTON — (Associated Press) - As lawyers for James "Whitey" Bulger begin to defend him against a massive racketeering indictment charging him in 19 killings, one big question remains: Will he testify?

Some lawyers not connected to the case say Bulger has too much baggage to testify, including a prior criminal record and a long reputation as an organized crime figure.

But others say Bulger's case is different because, at age 83, he knows he is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison and may be more interested in settling scores than being acquitted.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/29/2013

OK Attorney General Wants to Seize $8 Mil From Couple Tied to Legends Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (Associated Press) — Oklahoma's attorney general is being allowed to continue an effort to seize nearly $8 million from an Anadarko couple and the corporations they control that prosecutors say is tied to an illegal gambling operation in Florida.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/27/2013

‘Ray Donovan’ Producer Bryan Zuriff Pleads Guilty in Sports Betting Case

A Hollywood producer has pleaded guilty in New York for his role in a high-stakes sports betting business run by an organized-crime enterprise.

Bryan Zuriff is executive producer of the Showtime series Ray Donovan. He pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to accepting a financial instrument in connection with unlawful Internet gambling.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara (buh-RAH’-ruh) announced the plea Friday, saying Zuriff operated an illegal gambling enterprise in Los Angeles and helped run one in New York.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/27/2013

Wife and Son of Gambling Boss Masterminded His Truck Crash Murder

The wife and son of a gambling boss have been convicted for his brutal murder.

Jaya Bhagat, son Hitesh and four others were convicted for the truck crash murder of Suresh Bhagat on June 13, 2008.

A Mumbai court found that Jaya wanted to usurp his property and take over his multi-crore gambling business.

Jaya’s lover was also sought in the killing.

There were 80 witnesses to the murder.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Jul/26/2013

44Wager.com Bookmaker Sentenced to 4 Months in Prison

A Norwalk, Connecticut man was sentenced Wednesday to four months behind bars for his role in running a Costa Rica-based online sportsbook, 44Wager.com. 

The site has since been shuttered.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jul/26/2013

Poker Pro Masa Kagawa Arrested for Running Android Malware Ring

News broke across the poker stratosphere this week that high stakes player Masa Kagawa has been arrested for his alleged role in running an Android malware ring in addition to running a scam dating website.

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Kagawa was taken into custody by Chiba Prefectural Police in Japan.

Submitted by Ace King on, Jul/26/2013

South Carolina Bookie Brett Parker Murder Case to Be Featured on ‘Dateline’

This Friday (July 26, 2013), ‘Dateline’ on NBC will feature a segment on South Carolina bookie Brett Parker entitled “Mystery at Ascot Estates”.

The show, which will air at 9 pm EST, features interviews with friends and associates of Parker’s wife, Tammy Jo Parker.  Brett is currently serving a life sentence for shooting to death Tammy Jo and a sports betting clerk, Bryan Capnerhurst.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s lead investigator is also interviewed by “Dateline”.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jul/25/2013

Ohio Man Claims Casino Caused Robbery of $35K by Paying Him in Cash

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Associated Press) — A man who was robbed at home of more than $35,000 in gambling winnings sued the Ohio casino where he won the money, arguing a cashier should have issued him a check instead of cash.

Police said 29-year-old David Hayes was robbed at gunpoint of the stack of $100 bills when two armed men woke him at home hours after he left the Hollywood Casino Columbus with his winnings Oct. 21.

Hayes filed suit against the casino's operator, contending that he asked for a check when he cashed out his blackjack winnings but was given cash instead.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/25/2013

Another Man Pleads Guilty in Sports Betting Probe Tied to Legends Sports

A fourth man from the Albany, New York area has plead guilty for his role in a sports betting probe tied to now shuttered Legends Sports out of Panama City, Panama.

Craig Hayner pleaded guilty Tuesday in Albany County Court to promoting gambling, which is a felony. 

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Jul/25/2013

Sports Handicapper Anthony Boscarino of Mike’s Lock Club Sentenced

TUCSON, AZ — Anthony Mark Boscarino, 47, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to 135 months. Boscarino pleaded guilty January 23 and February 27, 2013, to 43 crimes including fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.

Submitted by Press Release on, Jul/24/2013

Venetian Boycott Not Working, Adelson Sees Triple Profits as Body Count Rises

Attempts to get poker players to boycott the Venetian Hotel and Casino’s Las Vegas poker room this week have apparently fallen on deaf ears.

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The room has been bristling with action each and every day.

Submitted by Ace King on, Jul/24/2013

Gilley Asks for Reduced Sentencing in Votes for Sale Gambling Case

DOTHAN, Ala. (Associated Press) — Former Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley is asking a federal judge to reduce his federal prison sentence.

The Dothan Eagle reports that Gilley is making the request because he claims that his attorney provided ineffective representation.

It has been nearly a year after Gilley was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for multiple counts of bribery and money laundering in connection with a wide-ranging investigation into bribery tied to proposed gambling legislation.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/24/2013

Men Arrested for Knifepoint Holdup at Maryland Live! Casino

HANOVER, Maryland — (Associated Press) - Anne Arundel County police have arrested a man who confronted women at knifepoint at the Maryland Live! Casino.

Police say about 7:45 a.m. Sunday, a man with a knife approached a woman as she was about to enter an elevator and demanded her purse.

The woman refused to give up her purse, and the man fled.

Officers say while investigating that incident, they learned of another crime, in which a woman was in her car in the casino's garage and was robbed by a man with a knife.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/22/2013

Two Hells Angel Members Go On Trial Two Years After Nevada Casino Shootout

RENO, Nev. (Associated Press) Nearly two years after a gun battle between motorcycle gangs turned a Nevada casino floor into a shooting gallery, two rival gang members go on trial on murder charges in Reno Monday in the death of a high-ranking Hells Angels officer.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/21/2013

Four Arrested in Boise for Running illegal Poker Houses

BOISE, Idaho (Associated Press) — Boise police say they've flushed out an illegal gambling operation with the arrest of four people, including three from one family.

Timothy J. Lough and his wife, Jo Anne Lough, were arrested on misdemeanor gambling charges on Tuesday along with their son, Travis Jay Lough.

Also taken into custody was David Andrew Deboer.

The law enforcement agency in Idaho's capital city says it had gotten numerous calls pointing to a card house being run at a pair of locations just southwest of downtown.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/19/2013

Wife of Slain Online Gambling Mogul Adam Anhang Captured, to be Extradited

A woman accused of having her husband stabbed to death at a busy San Juan, Puerto Rico intersection in 2005 is expected to be extradited back to the US.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Jul/19/2013

Sisters Leave Kids in Running Car to Play at Casino, Woman Tries to Mow Down Ex

Oh those Florida casino gamblers.  Talk about gamblers behaving badly. 

First, two sisters were charged with leaving their four kids in a running car while they went inside to gamble at a Hallandale Beach, Florida casino last week.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Jul/18/2013

Potential Witness in Whitey Bulger Murder Trial Found Dead

BOSTON --  (Associated Press) - A man who had hoped to testify in the racketeering trial of reputed mobster James "Whitey" Bulger and vocally criticized him has been found dead, authorities said Thursday.

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Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/18/2013

Philly Mobster Anthony ‘Ant’ Staino Sentenced to Eight Years

(Associated Press) - A self-described “CFO” of the Philadelphia mob has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison in a racketeering case.

Fifty-seven-year-old Anthony “Ant” Staino was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Philadelphia to 97 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/17/2013

Witness Testifies in Whitey Bulger Trial: ‘Either Pay Him or Get Killed’

BOSTON (Associated Press) — A businessman testifying in the racketeering trial of reputed gangster James “Whitey” Bulger on Tuesday described terrifying moments in 1982 when, he said, Bulger shoved a machine gun between his legs and threatened to kill him if he didn't pay him $400,000.

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Submitted by Associated Press on, Jul/16/2013

Stipulation and Order of Settlement With Respect to Absolute Poker

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED, ORDERED AND AGREED, by and between Plaintiff United States of America, by its attorney Preet Bharara, United States Attorney, Assistant United States Attorneys, Sharon Cohen Levin, Michael D. Lockard, and Jason H. Cowley, of counsel, and the Absolute Poker Group, by its counsel, Jerry D. Bernstein, Esq., of Blank Rome LLP, that:

Submitted by Press Release on, Jul/16/2013

Philly Mob Boss is Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison

A Philadelphia mob boss has been sentenced to 137 months behind bars.

Submitted by Press Release on, Jul/16/2013

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