Crime

Alderney Gets Another Black Eye: Suspends Sheriff Gaming License Following Raids

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission has finally suspended the license of Sheriff Gaming following a series of highly publicized raids in the Netherlands.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Wed, 09/11/2013 - 15:48

PA Lawmaker Caught Up in Illegal Gambling Investigation Wiretap

GLASSPORT, Pa. — (Associated Press) - A western Pennsylvania lawmaker overheard on a wiretap telling the suspected ringleader of an illegal gambling operation that he would conceal a complaint about the man's video poker machines says he has cooperated with investigators and tried to help the person who complained about the machines.

State Rep. Marc Gergely, D-Allegheny, broke his silence Monday on the wiretap information disclosed last week before the House Democratic Caucus.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 09/11/2013 - 00:16

Robert McGuigan: How Gambling Addiction Killed My Son Part II

Part 2 of my interview with the father of Jason McGuigan,Robert. Read what signs Jason was showing for gambling addiction and measures he was willing to take to satisfy his need. Part 1 of this interview received quite the response and you can read and comment here.

Submitted by Jenny Woo on, Tue, 09/10/2013 - 21:38

Pros Won’t Get Paid Back by Full Tilt Poker

The claims administrator overseeing payouts for former Full Tilt Poker customers announced Tuesday that pros and employees will be excluded from the process.

Submitted by Ace King on, Tue, 09/10/2013 - 14:42

Alabama Robbery Probe Unveils Illegal Gambling

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Associated Press) - Jefferson County sheriff's officials say a reported robbery has led authorities to busting an illegal gambling operation.

Sheriff's spokesman Randy Christian says deputies were called to a business early Monday morning to investigate a robbery. Christian says responding officers found illegal electronic gambling machines inside the establishment.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mon, 09/09/2013 - 21:42

Poker Player Laptops May Have Been Compromised at EPT Barcelona

Reports surfaced on Friday that at least two laptops left in a Barcelona hotel during a European Poker Tour event may have been infected with a Trojan virus.

Submitted by Ace King on, Fri, 09/06/2013 - 11:10

No Contest Pleas From 2 Outlaws Motorcycle Club in Gambling, Extortion Case

A federal judge has accepted the no contest pleas from two Outlaws Motorcycle Club members charged with illegal gambling, extortion and wire fraud. Both men will avoid a trial as a result of their pleas.

“By accepting this, she (Walton-Pratt) has saved the government probably about $400,000 for a seven-week trial,” said Monica Foster, a federal defender for the Indiana Federal Community Defenders Inc.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Wed, 09/04/2013 - 00:14

New Book 'The Quiet Don' Claims Pennsylvania Gambling Mob Ties

EASTON, Pa. (Associated Press) — A new book says Pennsylvania state police ran a top-secret investigation into whether then-Gov. Ed Rendell and his administration rigged the outcome of the casino licensing process to benefit favored applicants, including a politically connected businessman suspected of having mob ties.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Tue, 09/03/2013 - 19:23

Anti-Terrorism Police Question 60 in Connection to Online Gambling Ring

60 Cambodians were being held in connection with running an online gambling ring that authorities believe could have ties to terrorism, though no specifics were given.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Tue, 09/03/2013 - 09:38

Former Nebraska Lawmaker Faces Ethics Complaint Over Gambling Scandal

LINCOLN, Neb. (Associated Press) — An ethics complaint has been filed against former Omaha state Sen. Brenda Council over her involvement in a gambling scandal.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the Nebraska Supreme Court's Counsel for Discipline filed the complaint accusing Council of professional misconduct.

Council pleaded guilty last year to two misdemeanor counts of filing false campaign finance reports. Prosecutors say the reports concealed her misuse of more than $63,000 in campaign donations at casinos. She was fined $500 and ordered to pay court costs.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Fri, 08/30/2013 - 19:03

Neighbors on Edge as Mob Boss Vito Rizzuto Moves in Next Door

Meet your new neighbor, Mob boss Vito Rizzuto.

One of Canada's best known mobsters was released from a US jail last October after being sentenced to 10 years for various offenses including gambling, racketeering and murder.

He recently settled into the quaint Quebec city of Laval and that has neighbors on edge.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Thu, 08/29/2013 - 21:40

Purple Lounge Casino Parent Company Closes Two Years After Disney BJ Scandal

The parent company of now defunct Purple Lounge Casino and Poker Room, Mediacorp plc, has ceased trading on the London Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

Purple Lounge shut down in April of last year due to what Mediacorp termed “liquidity issues”.

But Mediacorp months earlier had been embroiled in a messy sex scandal involving one of its non-executive Directors, Chris Gorman.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Thu, 08/29/2013 - 21:16

Police Investigate Website That Lists Gambling Deadbeats

(Reuters) - A bilingual website has been naming and shaming gamblers who allegedly fail to pay Macau casino debts.

The site, Wonderful World, claims it has already helped recover 50 million yuan (HK$63.35 million).

But the police are not sure about its legality and are now compiling an internal report.

The English version features a list of more than 70 people from across China who have allegedly failed to repay debts ranging from thousands to millions of yuan.

Submitted by Reuters on, Thu, 08/29/2013 - 15:57

Bond Set for Mississippi Man Charged in Massive Dog Fighting Ring

GULFPORT, Miss. (Associated Press) - Bond has been set at $25,000 for a Biloxi, Miss., man arrested in a federal investigation of dog fighting and gambling.

Ricky Van Le was among 12 people arrested by federal authorities Friday in an investigation into organized dog fighting and gambling in the Southeast. The defendants allegedly conspired to promote and sponsor dog fights and arranged for dogs to be at the fights in several south and east Alabama counties and in Holly Springs, Miss., between 2009 and 2013.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 08/28/2013 - 11:06

Allied Veterans Lawyer Wants Charges Tossed

SANFORD, Fla. (Associated Press) - A Jacksonville attorney who prosecutors claim was the mastermind of a veterans' charity that actually was a $300 million gambling operation was in court asking that some of his criminal charges be tossed out.

Kelly Mathis was in a Seminole County courtroom Monday, trying to convince a Florida judge to dismiss money laundering charges he faces.

Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester didn't immediately rule.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mon, 08/26/2013 - 22:17

Victoryland Case Gets New Judge

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (Associated Press) -- A new judge has been assigned to the case involving the state attorney general's seizure of electronic gambling machines and cash from VictoryLand casino in Shorter.

Circuit Judge Tom Young has appointed Circuit Judge Ray Martin to replace him in the Macon County case.

The Alabama Supreme Court ordered Young to step aside from the case Friday because he made disparaging remarks about the state's "attempts to enforce Alabama's gambling laws against VictoryLand."

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mon, 08/26/2013 - 15:40

12 Arrested in Multi-State Gambling Dog Fighting Ring

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Associated Press) — A federal and state investigation into dog fighting and gambling has resulted in the arrest of 12 people from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas.

U.S. Attorney George Beck said Monday the 12 are charged with conducting an illegal gambling business and multiple dog fighting charges, including promoting dog fights. Additional defendants are being sought.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mon, 08/26/2013 - 14:31

More Arrests Possible in Billion Dollar Sports Betting Case Tied to Legends

A promised superseding indictment by the US Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma related to a billion dollar sports betting ring was expected to be handed down in the coming days, quite possibly in conjunction with the start of the 2013 NCAA College Football season by week’s end.

Thirty-four individuals and 23 entities from across the US and the country of Panama have already been indicted.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Mon, 08/26/2013 - 11:58

High Stake Poker Players Accept Plea Deals in Russian Mob Gambling Probe

Two high stakes poker players have plead guilty to reduced charges in connection to a gambling ring bust that allegedly has ties to the Russian Mob.

Justin Smith, 25, and Edwin Ting, 41, have plead guilty to running an Internet gambling business. They are two of 34 individuals charged.

Two other men plead guilty earlier in the week.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Sun, 08/25/2013 - 22:35

Hollywood Police: Chino Rheem Not Likely to Be Arrested at Hard Rock Poker Open

The Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open $10 Million Guarantee Championship event continues into Day 3 with one of poker’s bad boys among the top 10 chip leaders.

The bad boy in question would be David "Chino" Rheem.

Submitted by Ace King on, Sun, 08/25/2013 - 17:48

Nine Arrested in Philadelphia Bookie Operation: Wielded Hatchets to Collect Debts

Nine individuals were arrested Friday in connection to a Northeast Philadelphia bookmaking operation that used violence to collect debts, authorities claim.

The men, ranging from 26 to 48-years of age, each face racketeering and other charges after a grand jury indictment.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Fri, 08/23/2013 - 20:38

Jury in Brett Parker Bookmaking Trial Selected: Bookie Already Serving Life Sentence

A jury has been selected in the Brett Parker federal gambling trial. Parker is an admitted South Carolina bookie who was convicted in May on two counts of murder.

The Irmo-based bookie shot and killed his wife, Tammy Jo Parker, and a male employee, Bryan Capnerhurst.

During his trial, Parker tried to pin blame for the shootings on Capnerhurst, claiming that the betting clerk was trying to rob the couple of their gambling income.

Submitted by Alejandro Botticelli on, Fri, 08/23/2013 - 12:23

Massive Gambling Bust in Penang

GEORGE TOWN - (Bernama) -- Police have busted one of the biggest illegal gambling rings in the state this year with bettings amounting to RM450,000, in Air Itam, early Friday.

A D7 police team from the Northeast district police headquarters raided a 'mini casino' hidden behind a car workshop in Air Itam in an 'Ops Dadu' operation.

The casino was placed in a strategic location suitable to run illegal gambling activities, surrounded by bushes and visitors had to cross a river to reach the place.

Submitted by Reuters on, Fri, 08/23/2013 - 11:47

Vagos Motorcycle Gang Member Gets 7 Years for Fatal Vegas Casino Shooting

RENO, Nev. – (Associated Press) - A former member of the Vagos motorcycle gang has been sentenced to up to seven years in prison for his role in a 2011 shootout at a Nevada casino that killed a rival Hells Angel.

Gary "Jabbers" Rudnick pleaded guilty earlier to second-degree murder as part of a plea deal agreeing to testify against a fellow Vagos convicted Aug. 7 of first-degree murder in the death of Jeffrey "Jethro" Pettigrew, president of the Hells Angels' chapter in San Jose.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 08/21/2013 - 21:12

Man Who Stole £19million From Company to Fund Gambling Addiction Sentenced

An IT manager who stole £19million from his company to help fund his gambling habit has been sentenced to 7 years jail time.

Jonathan Revill, 38, made a profit of £5.6million from a scam over a three year period. He was employed with a Leeds subsidiary company of GDF Suez – one of the world’s biggest energy companies with a billion pound turnover. It was there that Revill faked signatures to order company equipment worth £18,976,062.

Revill also once bet £300,000 on a single sporting fixture.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Wed, 08/21/2013 - 20:42

Pay Per Head Scammers Have Industry on Edge: Leads Investigated

Nearly everyone in the pay per head industry, most of which is based in Costa Rica, are outraged by a group of scammers that have inundated the Net with emails suggesting they have a direct relationship with the likes of respected PPH companies like WagerHome.com and Perhead.com.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Wed, 08/21/2013 - 11:28

Fake Affiliate Impersonating WagerHome.com, TheRx.com

Beware pay per head agents! Gambling911.com has been informed that a fake affiliate with no relationship to pay per head site WagerHome.com is emailing agents pretending to represent this company.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Mon, 08/19/2013 - 21:12

Romanian Princess Runs Afoul of Law in Cock Fighting Arrest: Pleads Not Guilty

(Associated Press) - Princess Irina Walker, the daughter of the last king of Romania, was hobnobbing two years ago with European royalty in Bucharest to celebrate the 90th birthday of her regal father.

On Friday, she and her husband, a former sheriff's deputy, appeared in federal court to face charges of running a cockfighting business on their ranch in rural Oregon. Both pleaded not guilty and were released pending trial.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Sun, 08/18/2013 - 16:24

2 NYC Men Who Ran Illegal Poker Games Tied to Art Gallery

Two men have pleaded guilty to illegally operating high-stakes New York City poker games with pots regularly reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

Prosecutors say Kirill Rapoport pleaded guilty Friday to conducting an illegal poker game, and William Barbalat pleaded guilty Wednesday to traveling in interstate commerce in aid of operating an illegal poker game.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Sat, 08/17/2013 - 15:53

Man tied to Russian Gambling Ring With Manhattan Art Gallery Ties Pleads Guilty

Kirill Rapoport, who was accused of participating in a gambling ring with Russian mob ties, pleaded guilty to running an illegal poker game on Friday.

Submitted by Ace King on, Fri, 08/16/2013 - 14:29