[desunoto]

38 indicted in nationwide sports gambling rings

http://www.mlive.com/news/us-world/i...wide_spor.html

For the Lazy peeps.

38 indicted in nationwide sports gambling rings

The Associated Press
April 7, 2010
NEW YORK -- Bookies operating two online sports gambling rings took in nearly $178 million in bets around the country in less than three years, prosecutors charged Wednesday after arresting 38 on enterprise corruption charges.

Suspected money collectors, agents and bookies were arrested in Nevada, Louisiana, Florida, New York and Arizona after a three-year investigation led by the New York Police Department's organized crime division.

Three New York City employees, a firefighter, sanitation worker and a highway repairman, were arrested in the sweep. Charges also included money laundering, promoting gambling and conspiracy.

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said the suspects operated two nationwide rings using sports betting Web sites filtered through Costa Rica. They took bets on professional and college football and basketball, as well as professional baseball and hockey games.

New York officials held a news conference with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers and the Broward County Sheriff's Office in Florida to announce the arrests.

Prosecutors said Robert Baselice and Charles Cicalo, both from Staten Island, worked as bookmakers on crownsports.com and Jazzsports.com, employing agents and other people to collect and disburse money.

The second indictment charges Robert Ackrish, a sanitation worker, and his father, Lewis, both from New York, with running a second ring that also used some of the same Web sites.

They were all awaiting arraignment, and no lawyer information was available.

More cash and millions of dollars in property were seized after more than a dozen search warrants were executed in New York, Florida, Michigan, Nevada and Louisiana.

"Such computerized wire rooms operate around the clock and can handle a large volume of bettors at any one time, thus allowing the organizers to increase their illicit profits without having to bother with the time-consuming, record-keeping aspects of a more traditional, paper-based bookmaking operation," Brown said. "Unfortunately for the defendants, the law enforcement community is just as adept in using new technology to stop those involved in such criminal pursuits."

[durito]

nothing.

[minet123]

nothing.

nothing

[John Dough]

nothing.

Agreed.

[tltaylor89]

Nothing goverment can only go after people where booking is illegal and here in the US it is except for a few states.Feds are well aware of the things going on but until and owner steps foot in the US they cannot not pursue.

[THE HITMAN]

doesn't seem to be too much fallout/backlash so far......which is good

[Rollins08]

Why is this a big deal?

[BigdaddyQH]

Nothing goverment can only go after people where booking is illegal and here in the US it is except for a few states.Feds are well aware of the things going on but until and owner steps foot in the US they cannot not pursue.

Not true. They can extradite and will if they feel the need to. Right now, the need is not there. Remember, theFeds go after these guys for major crimes, not bookmaking. Just look at the charges. Money Laundering seems to top the list, followed closely by Tax Evasion.

[Frogger]

Is it just me or is this old news?

[BET THE HOOK]

Just another way for the US government to milk this for a ton of cash because the Costa Rican books are making all the money. If they would just legalize it they could tax it and keep all the cash home.

[djefferis]

While CR has an extradition agreement with the US, it's rare.

Unlikely CR would not resist if it involved sports betting. Too many shops there would take too many good jobs if forced to flee in masse. Now step on Mexican/US/Canada soil, different story.

[laconic]

BetOnSports, Gary Kaplan was arrested in the Dominican Republic, taken to Puerto Rico then to St Louis. I think if they want you badly enough then you are not safe practically anywhere.

[Boner_18]

These shops are probably safe as it is the agents on the ground who are taking the large portion of the risk. The high-ups at these companies would be well advised to consult with an international law specialist before they even think of getting on a plane or boat or traveling somewhere.

[djefferis]

Exactly, BOS execs arrested in DR, Mikey from BFC was arrested in Mexico...no CR arrest.

Go to a country with no vested interest in gambling and who like being on the US good side, you are asking for trouble. Part of the downside to running a business the US doesn't like. There is considerable upside too of course.

[winM]

It's same old stories!

[Hareeba!]

I don't see why so many bookies are using websites now for their business.... Its too traceable and obviously a record of all bets is retrieveable for the government.

If they didn't use websites how on earth could most of us play with them?

And the ability to trace transactions is an essential protection for players in conjunction with government supervision and regulation.

I certainly wouldn't be playing anywhere without these safeguards in place

[Betallsports]

Is it just me or is this old news?

No, it;s not you. It's Old News from a few weeks ago.
neither Book has missed a Beat.

[BET THE HOOK]

I think the US made the arrests and then realized they didnt have a plan for after that and said "Now what"

[Betallsports]

I think the US made the arrests and then realized they didnt have a plan for after that and said "Now what"

The Arrest were made through Agents/ Credit accounts. That's where lies the problem.

There's no need to worry about either place.

[Frogger]

I don't see why so many bookies are using websites now for their business.... Its too traceable and obviously a record of all bets is retrieveable for the government.

Compared to what ? Are you saying that a bookie is better off answering the phone and keeping paper records in the US where the door can be busted down anyday?

The internet is BY FAR the safest, more efficient way to run a sports wagering business until something better is proven. I would say local books that still answer the phone are at least 10 times as more likely to get in trouble.

(however, if you know any loons that still answer the phone, please give me their number so I bash their horrible numbers like the old days)

[triqy]

I think this is old news, nothing is gonna happen to 5dimes

[Rollins08]

credit accounts seem to get busted all the time. Nothing seemed to happen at betonline when they got busted.

[SR]

I don't see why so many bookies are using websites now for their business.... Its too traceable and obviously a record of all bets is retrieveable for the government.

Personal vote for dumbest post of all time....DPOAT from here on out.

Do you ever see your local "bookie" driving a ferrari, or even looking and acting like a normal person for that matter. The internet allowed alot of smart people a way to reach 1m x more people than they previously could. Dudes get robbed for their sneakers in NY. The potential to earn multi-millions relatively tax free will attract plenty of people.

[MathewXB]

Safe place for these guys to go I got a closet in my house that I just found and I have owned the house for a year and the door is almost seamless. Almost looks like they started a safe room but did not finish.

XB

[lt56]

I join 5Dimes because so many here said it's great site. But this thread says whats gonna happen to them and Betcris? what did they do? the article at top doesn't mention 5dimes. this sucks

[brumbies]

What about matchbook?