Crime
NY’s Carlyle Hotel Raided in High Stakes Poker Probe With Mafia, Art Ties
A section of New York’s ritzy Carlyle Hotel was raided on early Tuesday in connection to an international multi-billion dollar gambling investigation with alleged ties to the Russian Mafia.
Legends Sports ‘Bookie’ to Remain Behind Bars: Deemed a ‘Fight Risk’
While three of four individuals arrested in Florida for their role in a massive multi billion dollar sports betting ring have been released on bond, one will remain behind bars.
Prosecutors claim Philip Gurian, 51, acted as a “bookie” out of his Boca Raton home on behalf of Panama-based Legends Sports. The Sun-Sentinel reported Monday evening that Gurian had employees working for him in 10 different states and 6 countries. He is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Full Tilt Poker Founder Ray Bitar Sentenced to Time Served
Full Tilt Poker founder Ray Bitar plead guilty last week to operating an illegal online poker company.
Bitar who is awaiting a heart transplant and only has 6 months to a year to live without one, will not be serving any prison time. The former Full Tilt Poker head was sentenced to time served exactly two years to the day he was indicted.
Hearing Delayed for Oklahoma Man Charged in Florida Case
ANADARKO, Okla. (Associated Press) - An extradition hearing has been delayed for an Oklahoma man indicted in Florida over an alleged illegal gambling ring.
Chase Burns is the owner of International Internet Technologies. He faces racketeering and conspiracy charges over several Internet cafes affiliated with Allied Veterans of the World.
Federal prosecutors allege the cafes are illegal casinos - and that those involved have been using the charity as a front for a $300 million gambling operation.
Business as Un-Usual: Legends Sports Still Paying Out Within Hours
While no official statement has been issued by the betting company following Wednesday’s shocking wave of indictments by US law enforcement, a few customers of Legends.com (also found at www.legends.eu) have reported payouts within just a matter of hours on Thursday.
First Ever Online Gambling Affiliate Indicted for Recommending Website
In the first case of its kind, an online gambling affiliate based in the US has been named in an indictment for promoting an online sportsbook by simply recommending them.
Gregory “Patchman” Roberts was among 34 charged in a sweeping investigation into a sports betting operative, Legends Sports, which authorities claim had operatives based in both the US and in Panama. Gambling911.com first broke the story Wednesday afternoon.
Law Enforcement Used Skype Wire Taps in Sports Betting Probe Tied to Legends
Law enforcement utilized wire tapping of Skype conversations in an international offshore gambling probe that resulted in charges against principals of Legends Sports in Panama and others.
Legends Sports: ‘All Players Funds Safe Following OKC Indictment’
The US Justice Department out of Oklahoma City filed a 96-page indictment against one of Central America’s oldest US-facing bookmaking operations. Legends Sports and 34 individuals connected to the lucrative wagering business were charged with running an illegal sports betting ring, a story first broke by Gambling911.com.
57 Charged With Operating Illegal Sports Betting Ring
From FBI Oklahoma Division….It is not immediately known if individuals arrested earlier in the day from Albany, New York were tied to this matter. Both men were charged with their role in an extensive sports betting ring with arrests that were taking place thoughout the country Wednesday. This story is very fluid....
Head man of TheGreek.com also named in indictment.
Breaking News: Sports Betting Agents Being Rounded Up Throughout Florida
Gambling911.com has learned that the Northern District of New York was in the process of rounding up sportsbook agents throughout the state of Florida and elsewhere.
Details were not immediately known, however, the indictments are currently under seal and G911 has been unable to obtain further information.
Oh My God! Gambling Nun Admits Stealing $128k From Churches
(Associated Press) - A Roman Catholic nun with a gambling addiction has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $130,000 from two rural western New York parishes.
The Daily News of Batavia reports that 68-year-old Sister Mary Anne Rapp pleaded guilty Monday in Orleans County Court to grand larceny. She admits she stole the money from St. Mary's Church in Holley and St. Mark's Church in Kendall from March 2006 to April 2011.
Rapp faces up to six months in jail when she's sentenced July 1. She'll also be required to pay restitution that would be worked out at a later date.
Prosecutors Will Sentence Former Full Tilt Poker Head to Death if Jail Time Sought
With news that Full Tilt Poker former CEO Ray Bitar has plead guilty in connection to a April 11, 2011 indictment for money laundering and bank fraud, we have also learned that the disgraced businessman is now facing death.
Full Tilt Poker Former CEO Ray Bitar Pleads Guilty: Awaits Heart Transplant
The former CEO of Full Tilt Poker Raymond Bitar has plead guilty to money laundering and bank fraud.
Indicted on April 15, 2011 on what has become known as “Black Friday”, Bitar was facing significant prison time.
Bitar, however, remains hospitalized as he is about to undergo a heart transplant.
China Dismisses Casino Billionaire Sheldon Adelson Macau ‘Influence’
Billionaire and Chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Sheldon Adelson last week testified that he did not authorize former President William Weidner’s offer of a share of the company’s Macau profits to a Hong Kong businessman.
Florida Bans Internet Cafes in Wake of Gambling Scandal
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Associated Press) — Florida legislators voted overwhelmingly Thursday to ban storefront gaming operations, a quick response to a scandal that led to dozens of arrests and the lieutenant governor's resignation.
The bill is now headed to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott, who said he will sign it. The operations, commonly called "Internet cafes," would allow customers to play sweepstakes games that simulated slot machines.
Gambling Addict Steals Baby’s iPhone: Caught on Camera
How bad a problem is gambling addiction? Just ask 72-year-old gambling addict Kenneth Fletcher of Liverpool, England.
Poker Personality Nolan Dalla Conned Out of $37k by ‘Notorious’ Peter Falcone
Nolan Dalla has come forward to declare he was conned out of $37,000 by one time best friend Peter Falcone.
Dalla writes on his blog in a three-part series admitting his vulnerability.
Peter Falcone.
Mass Organized Crime Figure Joseph Giallanella Sentenced to 2 Years
WOBURN, Mass. (Associated Press) — A 64-year-old North Andover man prosecutors say was a key associate in a loan sharking and illegal gambling operation has been sentenced to two years and a day in prison.
Florida House Could Inadvertently Ban Online Poker in State
With news this month of Florida’s legislatures banning Internet cafes in the wake of a massive money laundering scheme, there have been concerns raised that online poker could inadvertently be banned in the Sunshine State as a result.
The Florida House last week voted 110 to 6 to ban Internet cafes in the state.
Poker Pro Greg Raymer Leaves PPA Board Following Hooker Arrest
Poker pro Greg Raymer has announced he will no longer be serving on the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) board following last weekend’s highly publicized arrest for solicitation of a prostitute and attempting to engage in an unnatural sex act.
French Police Raid Christine Lagarde’s, Bernard Tapie Homes
The Telegraph has reported that International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde’s Paris flat was raided as part of an investigation into a €285 million payment made to Bernard Tapie. His home was also raided.
Tapie heads up the International Stadiums Poker Tour and the purpose of the raid was to determine if Lagarde acted illegally when approving a €285 Million arbitration payout to Tapie.
RCMP Carries Out More Raids, Arrests in Connection with Platinum SB
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of the RCMP Wednesday morning arrested two more individuals in connection with running what it deemed to be an organized crime-linked bookmaking operation that also has ties to the Hell’s Angels.
Police arrested Michael Kriaris, 39, of Toronto, and Augustino Valenzisi, 43, of Vaughan. Both face charges related to engaging in bookmaking and committing an offence to benefit a criminal organization.
Broncos Player Quinton Carter Faces Felony in Alleged Casino Cheating
Denver Broncos safety Quinton Carter is facing felony charges after the Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas accused him of adding a $5 chip to three bets after the dice already rolled. Video surveillance apparently captured the event.
A spokesperson for the team told the Associated Press the Broncos are investigating the matter.
No More Internet Cafes in Florida Following Gambling Arrests: Senate OK
(Associated Press) - A Senate panel has cleared its version of a ban on the Florida gambling establishments commonly known as Internet cafes.
The Senate committee on gaming Monday voted 11-0 on the bill (SB 1030) that started as a moratorium and evolved into an outright ban.
The vote follows a House committee's clearing of its own bill banning internet cafes on Friday.
Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll resigned last week in the wake of an investigation into the Allied Veterans of the World charity that was suspected of running illegal gambling.
Jenny Woo: Greg Raymer One of the Good Guys of Poker Despite Hooker F-Up
Poker pro Greg Raymer does not have an arrest record of any kind, so Friday's shocking revelation that he was nabbed during a hooker sting operation certainly has many in the poker community scratching their heads.
Poker Pro Greg Raymer Arrested in Prostitution Sting
One of poker’s best known players, Greg “Fossilman” Raymer, has been arrested following a North Carolina prostitution sting operation.
Florida Gambling Arrests May Shut Down Veterans Shelter
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Associated Press) — A former Army cook who fell on hard times, Debbie Bowman has been living at the Allied Veterans Center, a shelter for homeless veterans, since August.
Florida Legislature Move to Ban Internet Cafes Following Gambling Scandal
(Reuters) - The resignation of Florida's lieutenant governor, Jennifer Carroll, and the arrests of 57 people charged with money laundering and racketeering has sparked a stampede in the state legislature to shut down hundreds of "internet cafes," whose online gambling operations have been allowed to skirt the law for several years.
RCMP Releases Names of Those Charged in Platinum SB Gambling Probe
As the result of an on-going illegal gaming investigation, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) has charged the following individuals with the offences of Commit a Criminal Offence for the Benefit of a Criminal Organization and Conspiracy to Commit the Indictable Offence of Engage in Bookmaking
Names of Those Arrested in Platinum SB Probe Yet to be Released
Though the RCMP announced it would be identifying those arrested Tuesday March 5, 2013 in connection with a massive bookmaking operation in the Ontario region today, this was yet to occur as of Wednesday evening.
